Carlos Sunne
December 2, 1926 ~ May 29, 2009
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 1, 2009 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Faulkton. Burial followed in the church cemetery with military honors. Visitation was held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, May 31, 2009 at Luce Funeral Home in Faulkton with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church.
Carlos Grant Sunne was born on December 2, 1926, in Gettysburg, SD to Henry and Marie (Falkenhagen) Sunne. Carlos helped his parents on the farm and enjoyed working with the horses and cattle.
Carlos attended school in Agar, SD. He would often ride his horse to school to attend classes. He was proud of the small school’s heritage. Carlos graduated from Agar High School in May 1944.
Carlos enlisted in the United States Army in September, 1944. He was assigned to the 77th Division in support of the World War II in the Pacific Theater. Carlos was later assigned to the 11th Airborne Division in Japan. Carlos was honorably discharged November 30, 1946.
On September, 1947, Carlos enrolled at Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD. He received a two year teaching certificate in May, 1949. His goal since the 8th grade was to become a teacher. He continued his graduate work over the years at Northern State College, Concordia Teachers College in Nebraska, and Notre Dame.
While attending school at Northern he met Justine Przybysz of Detroit, MI on St. Patrick’s Day. Justine became his best friend and soul mate. On December 31, 1948 they were married in Aberdeen, SD. Justine has been his friend, lover and caregiver over the years.
In September 1949, Carlos was hired as a 7th-8th grade teacher in Faulkton, SD. He continued in that position for 20 years and then became Elementary Principal for the Faulkton School District. Carlos retired from teaching on July 1, 1987 after 38 years of teaching in Faulkton.
After retirement, Carlos enjoyed working in his garden, helping with the Faulkton Carousel, and enjoying time with this family and friends. Carlos especially enjoyed visiting with past students and teachers, who continued to address him as “Mr. Sunne,” He was also well known as the “Bubble Gum Man” because he always had a pocketful of bubble gum for every child who crossed his path. He loved and enjoyed the activities of his three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
Carlos was a member of the St. Thomas Catholic Church, Faulkton, SD. He was a lector and Eucharistic minister for a number of years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Carlos was proud of this service in the military. He was a strong member of American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars in Faulkton. He received a “White Hat” for outstanding service as Commander of the VFW, the VFW Award for Community Service, and was also “Legionnaire of the Year” in 1961. Carlos was also selected to attend the Freedom’s Foundation to attend coursework at Valley Forge, PA.
He proudly served the community by serving as Master of Ceremonies at Memorial Day and annual Snow Queen Contests. He was a member of the Advisory Board for the Faulk County Memorial Hospital; he was a member of the Faulkton Volunteer Firemen, served on the Faulkton Centennial committee, and Faulk County Library Board. Carlos was awarded Leader of American Secondary Education, and member of the Diplomatic Corps of SD.
Upon retirement from his teaching career, Governor Mickelson proclaimed June 30, 1987, as “Carlos Sunne Day” in honor of Carlos’s commitment to education and the community.
Grateful to have shared his life are his wife of 60 years, Justine Sunne, Faulkton; one daughter, Melanie (Steve) Johnson, Nisswa, MN; one son Randy (Sharon), Valley Spring, SD; five grandchildren: Morgan (Sunne) (Adam) Bobzien, Grant (Rachel) Sunne, Blake Sunne (Noel Bentele), Katie Johnson and Dana Johnson; one great-grandchild: Cade Bobzien; and one special grandson, Lincoln Kathner.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Carlos' arrangements.
MINISTER
Fr. Chester Murtha
CASKETBEARERS
Blake Sunne
Grant Sunne
Dana Johnson
Adam Bobzien
Jim Wagner
Jerry Fischer
Alan Kathner
LECTOR
Tom Bartholomew
ALTAR SERVERS
Kacee Redden
Katie Redden
POEM & EUCHARISTIC MINISTER
Sharon Sunne
GIFT BEARERS
Rachel Sunne
Noel Bentele
Katie Johnson
Morgan Bobzien
USHERS
Craig Huss
Chuck Huss
ALTAR SERVERS
Kacee Redden
Katie Redden
ORGANIST
Linda Bartholomew
VOCALIST
Jerry Bowar
"Prayer of St. Francis"
"Be Not Afriad"
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
"On Eagle's Wings"
"I am the Bread of Life"
"Song of Farewell"
"You Are Mine"
LUNCH
A time of food and fellowship will follow the burial at the Faulkton Community Center.
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Blake informed us of your loss Randy. You have our heartfelt sympathies and you’re in our prayers.
Jon and others at EROS
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Carlos. I so enjoyed the times we had working together in Bauers Super Valu. I was always a taste tester for his Tiger Meat. I didn’t like it but ate it so often I actually aquired a taste for it.We had so much fun and laughter, I will never forget him, he was a gem of a guy. All our love and prayers.
Terry and Carol Witte
Justine,
i’m sorry to hear you lost your friend, husband and partner of many years. call me if you need anything.
tomelyn & craig
Randy our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sorry to hear about Carlos, Our thoughts and prayers are with you.May God comfort you.
Larry & Ruth
A GREAT MAN HAS BEEN LOSSED.HE WILL BE MISSED BY MANY.
Dear Sunne family,
All of our children ( Lisa, Robert, Nicole and Nathan Wheeler)
had great respect for Mr. Sunne.
I enjoyed lectoring with him.
I am sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Claire Wheeler
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of loss. Many great memories of Mr. Sunne and his bubble gum.
Sally and I are keeping you and your family in our prayers and in our hearts as you grieve your loss. Good Bless you all!
Chief & Sally
Justine & Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a beautiful Obituary, he definetely was the best “bubble gum man.” Mr. Sunne was a wonderful man that touched the lives of so many children. I am proud to have been one of them. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Randy & family, so sorry I can’t be there tomorrow, but I have a surgery coming up & have a pre-surgery physical. However, I want you to know what great memories of your father I have while growing up & attending school. He always had a smile on his face when walking by him, & he knew every student. My wife & kids always comment when going into town that they had to look & see how the dog (in their yard) was decorated! May your dad be held up and embraced by God as he enters the Kingdom.
We are so sorry for your loss. He will be truly missed.
I was deeply saddened to hear about Mr. Sunne’s passing. He was such a special man who touched the lives of many. I have wonderful memories of the “Bubble Gum Man.” He will not be forgotten.
Justine and family.
Justine, you and Carlos were like 2nd grandparents to Sean and I when we lived in Faulkton. I remember going out to breakfast after church and coming over for many visits.
I will never forget when you came to Howard for my wedding and Carlos brought me bubble gum, even as a “big kid” I stilled loved it!
I will, as many will, remember Carlos for his kindness, caring and compasion as well as generosity for others. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love & Prayers,
Misty (Dufault) Miller
Justine, Melanie and Randy and families….thanks for sharing such a wonderful husband and father with all of us…Please cherish all of the memories you hold dear. I will never forget the three cornered ruler and the erasers flying through the air in 8th grade!!!!! Thank goodness they weren’t headed my way…the good times that Carlos spent with my dad, Andy, and oh my the fishing trips! The fish stories they would tell when they got home. He was a great man….
Randy,
I’m very sorry for your loss. Please let me know if you need anything.
Love,
Ron & Heidi Bahl
Sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Sunne. He was such an awesome principal. I will always remember him and his Bazooka Joe Bubble gum. My thought and prayers are with you.
Dear Justine, Melanie, Randy and family, I am so saddened to hear of Carlos passing. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin. I never got to call him my teacher or principal, but he was my friend and I am glad of that. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cheryl (Roseland) Blennert
Greetings to the family and condolences from our family to yours. I’ll have dad read the obituary when he comes to my house again. You all hold a special place in our hearts. May the God of all comfort be with you.
I have memories of Mr. Sunne as they lived next door to us almost 50 years ago. My brother Bill who passed away in 1997 and Randy were about the same age and Melanie played with my sisters. I used to babysit them when I was in 6th and 7th grade. Mr. Sunne was my 8th grade teacher. I moved to Watertown right after I graduated from 8th grade in 1960. Donna Hillman McClaid told me about his funeral. Her Mom was my 3rd grade teacher. My prayers and condolences go with the family.
I was never sent to “Mr. Sunne’s office, but have lots of memories of him. My condolences to his family.
Mr. Sunne was a VERY important part of my education. I always told him that his English teaching in 8th grade prepared me for graduate school. Our mother, Ellen Hillman, held him in high esteem as her principal during the many years she taught. His death is a major loss to our Faulkton community.
Sorry to hear of Mr. Sunne’s death. My family used to live next door to you in Faulkton. My father was the pastor of the Methodist church. I remember playing with Melanie in the sandbox, cutting out paperdolls, and playing with Barbie dolls. I also remember visiting with Mrs. Sunne. I think Melanie and I were inseparable at one time. I have four children (1 boy and 3 daughters) and I used to tell them about Melanie and how we played…none of my children ever got into paperdolls!! My sister, Carol, heard from Donna McLaird of Mr. Suune’s death and notified me. Take care. Your family is in our prayers. Rojean Berry Sweeney
Dear Justine and family,
Mr. Sunne (Carlos) is inextricably woven into our lives as our teacher and friend and as principal and co-worker with our mother, Ellen Hillman. He knew that Mom, like himself, had high standards; she always held Mr. Sunne in high regard. He was a person central to the community. Melanie, I was in his class the day you were born, and I remember it yet. We all knew that this was an extremely important day for him.
Justine, my heart goes out to you. You were together with Carlos for a very long time. I am sure he is with you yet though not in his physical presence.
Sending my love and sympathy, Janice
Mr. Sunne is the most memorable teacher from my Faulkton school days in the 1950’s. He was an excellent English teacher and I acquired skills from him that benefited me throughout my career and life. He ran a tight classroom and put the fear of God into a few students who goofed around disrupting class.
I miss you so much even though it was rare to see you. Hope you aren’t all alone in heaven because it is hard to find people as kind as you.