Marion Sondermann Obituary

Sondermann
Marion Sondermann
April 8, 2023

Marion Sondermann passed away on April 8, 2023 at the age of 95. She was predeceased by her husband Fred Sondermann in 1978.
She is survived by her three children, Eric Sondermann (Tracy Dunning) of Denver and Tabernash, Gary Sondermann (partner Julie Foster) of Colorado Springs, and Judy Sondermann also of Colorado Springs. She also leaves behind four grandchildren, Katrina (partner Bryan), Dylan (Cassie), Graham (partner Sophie) and Clarke (partner Mark).
Marion was born on October 30, 1927 in Nuremberg, Germany to Fritz and Betty Obermeyer. After a childhood spent in increasingly challenging conditions in Nuremberg and Berlin, Marion along with her parents and brother emigrated to the United States in March 1939 as Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany. Five months after landing in New York City, the family resettled to Indianapolis.

In 1950, she married Fred Sondermann, also a German-Jewish refugee then living in Indianapolis. While Fred, a veteran of World War II, attended college and graduate school under the GI Bill, they spent their early years of marriage in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1953, with Fred having received his Ph.D. from Yale University and being hired by Colorado College to teach political science, they moved to Colorado Springs. Marion continued to live in the Springs until her death.
While raising her children, Marion completed her B.A. degree at Colorado College with a major in psychology. In 1980, she received her master's degree in public administration from the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs.
After graduating from Colorado College, Marion worked for many years at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. Later, with her master's degree in hand, she began a career in academia. For the next 26 years, she taught political science at UCCS and also at Pikes Peak Community College.
Marion was long active in the Colorado Springs community. In 1971, she was elected to a six-year term on the School District 11 Board of Education.
Marion served as a volunteer arbitrator for the local Better Business Bureau and on the board of the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council. In 1991, she was appointed to a post on the Charter Review Commission. In later years, she served on the boards of the Center for Christian-Jewish Dialogue and of Parents Challenge.
All honoring services for Marion have already occurred.
Bless you, mom, grandma and friend, for the life you led and the difference you made.