Sonja Ann Sanderson

Sonja Sanderson, age 87, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Monday January 1, 2024 at Bickford Assisted Living in Fort Dodge.  Private family services will be held at a later date in Manchester, Iowa.  Memorials may be directed to the family. The Historic Bruce Funeral Home in Fort Dodge is serving the family.

Sonja Ann Helgeland, the daughter of Sigvert and Anna (Eide) Helgeland, was born on November 19, 1936 in Humboldt.  She graduated from Vinton High School in 1954, and continued her education at the University of Iowa receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree and Med Tech certificate.

Sonja married Alvin Harold Miller on August 10, 1957 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They had two children, Jessica and Mattson.  Sonja and Alvin later divorced.  On April 23, 1988 she was united in marriage with Lawrence Sanderson in Las Vegas, NV.  Sonja had worked as a Medical Technologist until her retirement in 2003.

Sonjay enjoyed cribbage, traveling, philanthropic work, being a HAM Radio Operator and taking care of her cat Callie.  She was a member of PEO, Red Hat Ladies and the Lutheran Church.

Left to cherish Sonja’s memory are her children, Jessica (David) Massey and Mattson (Nancy) Miller; grandchildren, Joshua Massey, Alexandria (Adam) Pruccoli, Kandi Senski, Justin Armstead, Dawson, Alivia and Paisley Miller; eight great grandchildren; and a special family friend, Carol Collins.  She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Merle Helgeland, Berniece Bergstrom and Gladys Pasch.