Mary K. Sonntag was born in New Castle, PA and currently lives in Lansdale, PA. She met her husband, Tom, on a blind date and they were married for 51 years. She has four children and five grandchildren. Aside from her interest in family history, she enjoys reading, needlework, and the out-of-doors. She is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. 

Throughout her life, Mary has stayed connected to her family and friends though letters. So, it’s no surprise that her family’s letters were of great interest to her. Compiling these letters, conducting the research, and writing this book was a 15-year labor of love. Her friends always told her she should write a book and lo and behold she has!

Mary Jo Sonntag was born to wander just like her ancestors. Her spirit of adventure was ignited when she was 16 and spent the summer studying French in Switzerland. Since then, she has traveled the world. An avid storyteller, Mary Jo delights friends and family with stories of her adventures. She also enjoys hiking, biking, gardening, and cooking. 

Mary Jo lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and holds degrees from Seton Hill University and The Pennsylvania State University. In her professional life, she coaches leaders worldwide to successfully execute their roles and achieve their potential. Watching enthusiastic associates grow and develop into fine leaders provides Mary Jo with a great sense of satisfaction. Her current focus is the Asia-Pacific region, with an emphasis on China and India, where she spends several months each year experiencing these unique cultures and nurturing her need to explore.