Sonja Petersen

SONJA JOANN BERGIT (AMUNDSON) PETERSEN was born in St. James, Watonwan County, Minnesota on October 31, 1937 to John and Alfreda (Hultgren) Amundson. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in St. James. She graduated from St. James High School in 1955. She continued her education at Beauty School in Mankato, Minnesota and after graduating she worked at the Calumet Beauty Shop in Pipestone. In 1957 she was united in marriage to Harold Petersen in St. James. The two shared 49 years together in marriage before his passing in 2006. Sonja continued to live on the farm until the current time. Her health began to decline in these last months and she was admitted into the care of the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at the age of 81 years, 10 months, and 17 days.

She was a member of Hope Church and later Peace Lutheran Church in Ruthton. She belonged to the Ladies Aid Circle and was an active worker on Social Committees and other jobs in church. She was also past president of the Ruthton American Legion Auxiliary. Throughout her years she was an avid bowler; her bowling team had become a Birthday Club which gathered often. She also enjoyed her card club as well.

Sonja is lovingly remembered by three children, Kris Petersen of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dave Petersen of Renner, South Dakota, and Paul Petersen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and one grandchild, Jade Petersen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents; one sister-in-law, Vera; and two brothers-in-law, Norman and Roy.