Sonja Marie Olmanson

Sonja Marie Olmanson, age 81, of Mankato, died on December 11, 2020 in Mankato. 

A graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Greenlawn Cemetery, rural Nicollet.  A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., also on Wednesday, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Mankato Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.

Sonja was born on April 7, 1939 in Elma, IA to Karl and Anna (Sanderson) Johnson, and was reborn into God’s family through baptism on April 30, 1939.  She was confirmed on May 24, 1953.  Sonja graduated from high school in New Hampton, IA in 1957.  Sonja was united in marriage to Keith Olmanson on August 11, 1957.  She graduated from Mankato State University, magna cum laude in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  Sonja taught special education at Nicollet Public Schools and retired in June 2000.  She served as President of the Minnesota Valley Chapter of Children with Learning Disabilities.  Sonja enjoyed rosemaling, quilting, sewing, reading, and singing.  She was an organist at Faith Lutheran Church in Nicollet and a member of the choir at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She participated in the ladies auxiliary group at each congregation. Sonja was also involved as a 4-H leader while her children were members. She served as a volunteer ombudsman at Hillcrest Nursing Home. 

Sonja is survived by her children, Karl (Liz) of Kasota; Dan (Rachel) of Cleveland; Andrew (Shireen) of St. Peter; Marie (Dale) Muehlenhaupt of Markesan, WI; Paula (Bruce) Naumann of Eau Claire, WI; Amy (Steve) Sippert of Eau Claire, WI; John (Sarah) of West St. Paul and Rachel (Loren) Hansen of Rapidan; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers, Walter (Kady) of Akron, OH; Marland (Jeananne) of Laurel, MT; Waldon (Peggy) of Cresco, IA and Donald (Claire) of Phoenix, AZ; brother-in-law Ronald Hansen and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Keith; sisters, Alna, Dagny, and Wanda Hansen and brothers, Dean and Charles.