Kenneth "Ken" Sonnenmoser

Kenneth Eugene Sonnenmoser passed away October 2, 2025. He was born on October 10, 1962, in Atchison, KS to Virginia May and Otto Sonnenmoser.

He was raised on the family farm in Rushville, MO where he learned the quality of hard work. He learned the ability to ignore distractions from all the trains that passed in front of their house. Right across the highway from their home are the hills that they would sled down in the Winter and hunt for mushrooms in the Spring.

His mother sent him to the private school of Maur Hill in Atchinson KS with the egg money she made from her chickens. He then went to UMKC, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in computer science in May 1985. He used that degree throughout his career, working at many companies in Kansas City. It is through his employment that he met and made many friends.

It was at UMKC that he met his wife, Linda Vasalinda, in speech class, celebrating 38 years of marriage in April. They shared a common love of rehabbing their homes. Kenneth acquired his carpentry skills from watching Norm Abram on The New Yankee Workshop. These came in handy for building cabinets, chairs, and creating so many small projects. He also learned home remodeling by trial and error, which resulted in many laughs. Annual Turkey Frys were held so he could show all the home improvements and serve oatmeal cookies to the lucky attendees. His other passions were motorcycles, owning multiple ones since childhood until the last one that ended up in trees. The one consistent thing about Kenneth was that he was there for anybody that needed anything.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Agnes Claire, Virginia Ann Perry Smith , and Otto (Fred). He is survived by his brother and best friend, John, Elizabeth (David) Coffman, brother-in-laws Denis Vasalinda, Kevin Vasalinda (Mary Dunn), Michele (Stewart) Legg and many nieces and nephews. He was a father figure for Brian Perry, Karen Brooks, Darren Perry and Kara Vasalinda, where he was able to give wisdom with love.

He will be missed dearly, and his family and friends will be grateful for their time with him.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00 - 2:00 Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Kansas City MO. We ask that if you would like to speak, please feel free to do so at 12:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, Kenneth requested donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Kansas City.