He became a dad to four more children on his second marriage whom he loved all equally: Martin, Andrea (Alvin), Becky, and Kristine. Grandchildren: Amanda, Jennifer, Selisa, Amber, Austin, Jacci, Shaila, Meriah, Alyssa, Kassie, Kandyce, Sadie, and Cody. Great Grandchildren: Emelio, Camron, Lincoln, Ryker, Svava, Ivy, Bryn, and Tess.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Helen Lieske, sister Marie Philman, and son Martin Bugg. The family was traveling all over the U.S custom combining when they came to Colorado, fell in love with the area, and purchased 2000 acres on Trout Creek. They cleared the ground where they built the LCL ranch with the first silo in Routt County. They raised Hereford, Angus, Charolais cattle, and had hay and wheat fields. Sonny went to work at the Energy Fuel coal mine, where he was employed for 22 years, while still helping with the family business. He started out driving trucks, running equipment and finally became a dragline operator. He sold the family property to Energy Fuels for strip mining. Sonny then bought property down trout creek which became known as The Lieske Starlite Ranch where he then raised registered Charolais cows. He also started a trucking company, L&J Livestock, hauling cattle. After retiring he bought a place in Salome, AZ in 2001, to spend the winters.