watch Sonja's Funeral

Sonja Solveig (Sirjord) Nelson went to her eternal home in heaven on Sept 12, 2020, after a long, tragic battle with Alzheimer's.

Sonja was born January 18, 1940, in Bear Park Township near Bejou, MN, to Harold and Thora (Svenby) Sirjord. She was raised on the family farm with her four siblings and graduated from Gary High School in 1958, where she was active in cheerleading and singing. Her mother passed away when Sonja was seven.

She was united in marriage to Floyd Nelson in 1958 at Faaberg Church in Rindal, MN. They made their home on his family farm west of Mahnomen and raised five sons and two daughters. In the early years, Sonja was the ultimate "farm wife", working tirelessly to make sure everyone was cared for while keeping the farm going during the summer when Floyd was gone working on road construction. She also worked at various places in Mahnomen throughout the years.

Sonja was active in their church, St Olaf Lutheran, holding many different positions throughout the years as needed in a small rural church, and making sure the kids grew up knowing the love of God and their church community. She and Floyd were both also active in the Mahnomen Rod and Gun Club and the American Legion.

When Floyd passed away in 1987, Sonja entered a new chapter in her life.  Throughout the years, she loved spending time with her family and watching her children and grandchildren participate in music, theatre, dance and sports, especially wrestling, softball, baseball and football. She was their best cheerleader!  Sonja had many dear friends and enjoyed spending time with her siblings and going on trips with the Red Hatters. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting with her church sisters at St Olaf and First Lutheran. Sonja also worked for the City of Mahnomen at the Liquor Store for many years, before retiring in 2011. She moved off the farm and into Mahnomen in 2010, after her house burned down.

Over the years, Sonja was well known for her beautiful soprano voice, singing in church and later anywhere there was karaoke! She was almost famous for her Patsy Kline at the casino. With her Alzheimer's diagnosis came many changes, first moving to the Assisted Living Center in Mahnomen and then Lilac Homes in Moorhead, where she resided for the last four years, and throughout it all she never lost her love of music.

Sonja is survived by her children: Duane (Ginger) Nelson, Ada, MN, Sandra (Pete) Haddeland, Waubun, MN, Thomas Nelson, Fergus Falls, MN, Karen (Mark) Radtke, Glyndon, MN, Dale (Mary Kay) Nelson, Glyndon, MN, David (Janet) Nelson, Alexandria, MN, and James (Angie Anderson) Nelson, Ottertail, MN; 22 grandchildren: Paul (Cassie), Mark (Veronica Martinez) and Jacob (Andrew Appello) Nelson; Jesse and Joshua (Nikki) Haddeland; Andrew, Katherine and Sarah Nelson; Jennifer (Brandon Aabye) Seaburg and Teresa (Tyler) Ekren; Michael (Alyssa), Nicholas (Cassidy), Jasmine (Riley), Zachary (Katherine Roberts) and Sabrina Nelson; Abby (Andrew) Kinney, Broderick, Riley and Myra Nelson, and Cassidy, Greta and Sophie Nelson; 11 great-grandchildren: Henrik, Halden, Hazel, Lyla, Noah, Laiken and Maverick Nelson; Lexi and Carletta Haddeland; Benjamin Seaburg and Wyatt Aabye; two sisters, Altha Spaeth, Detroit Lakes, and Vivian Johnson, Paynesville, MN, and many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Harold and Thora; husband, Floyd; sister, Thelma Lindberg; and brother, Hiram Sirjord.

A public Visitation will be held Thursday, September 17, 2020, from 5-7 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen and continue outside one hour prior to the funeral.

An Outdoor Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 18, 2020, at 2 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, MN.  The service will be outdoors, all are welcome to attend and encouraged to bring a chair.

Following all Covid-19 safety protocols, social distancing will be practiced, and all must wear a mask to participate.  The service will be recorded and available for viewing shortly after the funeral.