Helga Sornberger

Helga Sornberger, 86, of Rochester passed away on February 29, 2024 at Riverbend Memory Care having battled dementia for several years.

Helga was born in Nurnberg, Germany, on July 24, 1937 to Emil and Kunigunde Bayer. On April 13, 1957, she married William Sornberger in Herzogenaurach, Germany, while he was stationed with the US Army. When they arrived back to the states, they lived in Duluth, MN, Silver Bay, MN, and Rochester, MN.

Helga worked for Newman Kraft Studios for several years developing photos. Later she was employed by Mayo Clinic for 20 years in the photographic department retiring in 1993. After her retirement from Mayo Clinic, she volunteered with Mayo's Volunteer Services until 2017. While volunteering throughout the years, she met many wonderful people and enjoyed interacting with them. With her warm personality and her kind heart, she could bring a smile to anyone she met. Helga will be deeply missed and she will always be beautiful memories in our hearts.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, crocheting and knitting, and shopping. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and her beloved dogs "Max" and "Wiley".

Helga is survived by her son Bill (Kathy) Sornberger of Rochester, MN; two grandchildren; Jennifer (Tom) Iaquinto of Elko New Market, MN, and Andrew (Courtney) Sornberger of Rochester, MN, three great-grandchildren; Anna Katherine & Sophia Sornberger, and Austin Iaquinto; Sister-in-law, Maria Bayer of Nurnberg, Germany.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William Sornberger, her son Roger Sornberger, infant son Steven at birth, and her brothers Emil Bayer and Benno Bayer, and sister-in-law Emily Bayer.

Our family would like to thank family and friends for the love, support, and kindness shown to us and to Helga over the past seven years. It will never be forgotten. A special thanks is extended to the staff at River Bend Memory Care and Heartland Hospice who treated our mother and grandmother with such care and respect. You all have a special place in our hearts.

A celebration of Helga's life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 15, 2024 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers or monetary donations, the family requests memorial donations in memory of Helga to your local animal shelter or a charity of your choice.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Sornberger family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com