Sonja Ellen Krumm (née Vitzansky), passed away peacefully March 7, 2018 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease, less than six and a half weeks after her beloved husband, Frederick Krumm. We believe Fred went first, to hold her hand and show her the way. A combined memorial service for Frederick and Sonja Krumm will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 18th at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with Pastor Matt Olson, pastor of the Newburg Chester Church, officiating. Interment will be at Westfield Cemetery. A reception will follow at the West Side Family Restaurant in Grinnell. Sonja was born June 5, 1930, in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she was proud to go to the same school "attended by royalty of Denmark." She would share fond memories of growing up close to the ocean; watching ships and sailors, visiting the little mermaid statue, spending time at Tivoli Gardens and the beautiful parks in Copenhagen; her family's "sommerhus" (summer cottage); visiting "farmer and fishermen friends" and the beautiful castles of Denmark. Her sad memories revolved around the German occupation of Denmark during World War II. Fred was in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany, and rode a train to Copenhagen on a pass. He happened to meet the love of his life, Sonja, as he got off the train. They married April 15, 1951, in Copenhagen. Sonja loved the military lifestyle, so Fred signed up for the U.S. Air Force when his service with the Army ended. Their military life would take them all across the world. Sonja's first child, Jim, was born in England; her middle child, Mark, was born in Iowa; and her youngest, Janet, was born in Germany. They were also stationed in Orlando, Fla., and finally at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, where they would live for more than 50 years. They also bought a little house in Cape Coral, Fla., where they would spend winters in their later years. Sonja worked for the Danish government as a social worker when she met Fred. She also worked in Cheyenne for DePaul Hospital in pediatrics; and eventually in personnel, scheduling and doing payroll. But she seemed to love spending time with her family the most and was completely devoted to doing whatever was needed for her children as they grew up. She was an awesome den mother, chauffeur, supporter of judo lessons, little league, swimming, piano lessons, ballet lessons – and always present just to talk. She had a special love for animals, particularly dogs and cats. She loved taking long walks with family. In Florida, she loved swimming, walking on the beaches and going for rides on their pontoon boat. And she absolutely loved feeding her children and grandchildren, which still makes everyone laugh. She is survived by her son, Mark; daughter, Janet Hays (Tracy); and grandsons, Nick, Ben and Daniel. Sonja was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick; her son, James; her grandson, Christopher; and her parents, Ellen Kirk Sorensen and Kaj (Vitzansky) Reising.