"I first met Sonia (and Roberta) on a group trip to Israel. What a wonderful sister bond they shared. Both so caring and kind with tender hearts for the Lord. I also was blessed to see Sonia at Bible Study Fellowship on Wednesdays and to be with her in one of the groups. She was truly a woman of faith and lived her life with the joy of the Lord shining from within. I will miss her smile and sweet spirit. I thank God for her and pray for God's strength and His promise of eternal life in His Son to give you hope and peace. Janet Olson"
In loving memory of
Sonia Andersen
September 16, 1939 - August 18, 2019
Sonia Ilene (Lauren) Andersen, 79, of Ames, Iowa, passed away August 17th at home surrounded by her loved ones. Sonia was born September 16, 1939 in Oakland, California, the daughter of Helmer Lauren and Elenor (Shaw) Spargur. She grew up in California and then attended high school in Heidelberg, Germany. Upon returning to the United States she lived in Berkeley, CA and worked for the Pacific Bell Telephone Co. in San Francisco.
She met her husband Gary Andersen through mutual friends when he was a Hospital Corpsman at the Oakland Naval Hospital. They were married on January 17, 1959 in Oakland and had three children. She later became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked for Hospice at the Petaluma Valley Hospital in Petaluma, California. Upon retiring they moved to Ames where their youngest daughter attended the ISU School of Veterinary Medicine.
Sonia was a very humble and kind soul. She was always cheerful, always had a positive attitude and an encouraging word for everyone she met. Sonia also had a very deep and unwavering faith and was a fierce prayer warrior. She truly scattered seeds of kindness wherever she went. She was loved by virtually everyone who got to know her.
Sonia is survived by her husband Gary Andersen, children Donna Andersen of Santa Rosa, CA, David Andersen of Ames, Laura Andersen of Marshalltown, IA, granddaughter Brittny (Mikayla) Andersen of Ames, (her 4th child whom she raised from infancy) and her sister Roberta Adrian of Oregon City, OR.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at the Crossroads Baptist Church at 57011 US Highway 30 in Ames, IA at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2019. Please come prepared to leave a memory of Sonia on cards that will be provided.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Sonia's name may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313 or to Mary Greeley Hospice, 400 South Dakota Ave. Ames, IA 50014.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"I first met Sonia (and Roberta) on a group trip to Israel. What a wonderful sister bond they shared. Both so caring and kind with tender hearts for the Lord. I also was blessed to see Sonia at Bible Study Fellowship on Wednesdays and to be with her in one of the groups. She was truly a woman of faith and lived her life with the joy of the Lord shining from within. I will miss her smile and sweet spirit. I thank God for her and pray for God's strength and His promise of eternal life in His Son to give you hope and peace. Janet Olson"
"Sonia was a dear friend whom I met through Bible Study Fellowship. Although I never met you, I feel like I know you because Sonia spoke so lovingly of her family. We have lost a beautiful and faithful prayer warrior. How fortunate the Lord Jesus Christ himself covers that gap in our prayer protection. ?Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them? Hebrews 7:25. God?s Word provides sure hope for all who believe in Him. ?You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with the joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand? Psalm 16:11. In Christian love, Pam Miller"
"Sonia was a dear friend whom I met through Bible Study Fellowship. Although I never met you, I feel like I know you because Sonia spoke so lovingly of her family. We have lost a beautiful and faithful prayer warrior. How fortunate the Lord Jesus Christ himself covers that gap in our prayer protection. ?Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them? Hebrews 7:25. God?s Word provides sure hope for all who believe in Him. ?You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with the joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand? Psalm 16:11. In Christian love, Pam Miller"
"I first met Sonia in 1972 when I worked with Gary in Los Angeles and all our children were not yet of school age. We all remained connected friends through many employment transfers. I remember Sonia as a great wife to Gary and a dedicated, loving Mom to their children. She had a strong christian faith and a loving, caring attitude toward all. I remember her wonderful personality and the fine time our families enjoyed on weekend trips to Monterey, Ca and Solvang, Ca. as well as all the sightseeing and visiting we did during their family visit to San Diego! Sonia was a good and supportive friend and we will miss her."
"I have had to privilege of getting to know Sonia, David, and Brittny through their visits to my salon. What amazing people! Sonia always had such kind and encouraging words, I looked forward to every time I got to see her. I hope she knew what an impact her love for God and caring spirit left on people's hearts. Words can't even describe what it means to have people in your life like Sonia, knowing that your day would be better because of her. May God bless her family. "
"My wife Diane and I were extremely blessed to have known Sonia through her Husband Gary. Gary was my long time partner and we worked many difficult and tiring days together. He was always great about sharing a "Sonia Story"; telling about how perfect strangers would just walk up to Sonia and start to dump their entire life's troubles and worries at her feet. She was great at being the perfect listener, someone who could understand and convey that sense of compassion and understanding like no other could. Did I mention she was one hell of a cook; this Lady could make the very best desserts? In fact, to this day, one of my all time favorites is her poppy seed cake (or muffins) made from her secret recipe with Kerns Nectar as an active ingredient. God knows we miss her love, thought provoking conversations and her "just being Sonia". I think I am going to the grocery store now so we can make some of her poppy seed muffins. God's blessings to Gary and their family. Love, Bill and Diane "
"Sonia was one of a kind! Her love and positive outlook were inspirational and comforting to all she met. She will be greatly missed, but always remembered for the sweet, kind and lovely soul that she is!"
"I have already missed seeing her on Sundays! She was always so loving and caring! I am so thankful to have had her a part of my life! "
"Of all my losses while working at the post office this is the hardest... I will miss her terribly. (Even though I?m retiring) always encouraging and opening the door or car window saying, ?hi honey? w the biggest smile ever!! Truly an angel on earth... now she has her wings... thank you for sharing her. My thoughts are w all of you"