Obituary for Sonya Carlson
Sonya W. Carlson passed away Sunday, May 17, 2020 at Southfield Wellness Community at the age of 85. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there will be no visitation. A memorial service with family and extended family only will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center. Social distancing will be in effect and wearing of masks will be required per the family. Private inurnment will be at a later date at the South Marion Cemetery, south of Stratford.
Sonya was born May 3, 1935 in Hendricks, MN to Einar and Merle (Wheeler) Sondergaard. The family moved to Austin, MN when her father, a dentist, developed a heart condition that prevented him from continuing his practice. She graduated from Austin High School in 1953. Sonya continued her education for a year at the Austin Junior College before transferring to Iowa State College. She was a college yearbook “Bomb Beauty”, one of four selected by the movie director Alfred Hitchcock. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics Education in 1957. While in college she met her future husband, Richard Carlson, on a blind date. They were united in marriage November 23, 1957 in Austin, MN while she was teaching in Albert Lea, MN. The following spring, Sonya joined Dick at Fort Sill, OK where he was serving in a US Army Artillery Unit. They moved to Webster City in 1960, where Dick was first employed by Doane Agricultural Service. Sonya taught two years for the Webster City Junior High before starting a family and raising her daughter, Susan Jane Carlson.
She was a member of Asbury United Methodist and active in the church circle. Sonya was a past member of the Webster City Women’s Club and the Stonecroft Ministries. She enjoyed oil painting, and always had a ready and infectious smile. At age 41, she developed a mental illness that presented a challenge to her for the rest of her life. The family poodle, Mitzi, brought her great joy and comfort.
Sonya is survived by her husband Dick of 63 years; daughter, Susan Jane Carlson of Rockville, MD; brother-in-law, James E. Miller; nephew, Brett Miller and wife, Deb and their daughters Jenessa and Amanda. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Sondergaard and sister, Susan W. Miller.
Sonya was born May 3, 1935 in Hendricks, MN to Einar and Merle (Wheeler) Sondergaard. The family moved to Austin, MN when her father, a dentist, developed a heart condition that prevented him from continuing his practice. She graduated from Austin High School in 1953. Sonya continued her education for a year at the Austin Junior College before transferring to Iowa State College. She was a college yearbook “Bomb Beauty”, one of four selected by the movie director Alfred Hitchcock. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics Education in 1957. While in college she met her future husband, Richard Carlson, on a blind date. They were united in marriage November 23, 1957 in Austin, MN while she was teaching in Albert Lea, MN. The following spring, Sonya joined Dick at Fort Sill, OK where he was serving in a US Army Artillery Unit. They moved to Webster City in 1960, where Dick was first employed by Doane Agricultural Service. Sonya taught two years for the Webster City Junior High before starting a family and raising her daughter, Susan Jane Carlson.
She was a member of Asbury United Methodist and active in the church circle. Sonya was a past member of the Webster City Women’s Club and the Stonecroft Ministries. She enjoyed oil painting, and always had a ready and infectious smile. At age 41, she developed a mental illness that presented a challenge to her for the rest of her life. The family poodle, Mitzi, brought her great joy and comfort.
Sonya is survived by her husband Dick of 63 years; daughter, Susan Jane Carlson of Rockville, MD; brother-in-law, James E. Miller; nephew, Brett Miller and wife, Deb and their daughters Jenessa and Amanda. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Sondergaard and sister, Susan W. Miller.