Sonja RAMSAY

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

RAMSAY: After a short battle with acute leukemia Sonja Mae Ellen Ramsay passed away at Rivers Palliative Care Unit on August 30,2010 at the age of 76. Sonja was born October 15, 1933 at Kamsack, Saskatchewan the 2nd daughter of Gerardus (Gerald) and Johanna (Jean) (de Klerk) van Drecht. She grew up and attended school at Makaroff, Manitoba. Sonja had many fond memories of family holidays at Madge Lake,riding in a horse drawn van for school, selling wild raspberries to buy their only bike to share among 5 kids, to swimming and skating at the near by lake. After school Sonja moved to Brandon to attend Agriculture and Homemaking School (AHS), while there she meet many new friends in the likes of "The Silly Six". She also meet he future husband William (Bill) Ramsay of Cardale. Before their marriage Sonja worked at Singer Canada in Brandon then later a Telephone Operator in Rapid City and Oak River. Sonja and Bill were married on November 10, 1956 at Cardale where they farmed and raised their five children. Sonja was an active member of the community from WI to working at the rink or whatever needed help with. Sonja always had a large flower or vegetable gardens as well as raising chickens and turkeys. Her creative side shone through in her sewing of matching dresses for her girls or a great Halloween costume, to those special birthday cakes she made for her children. Sonja later took art courses in Hamiota where her interest turned to ceramics, wheat weaving, and oil painting. In 1976 the family moved to Rivers where Donna Bate and herself opened S & D Ceramics for a few years. Bill and Sonja enjoyed travelling across the country to many curling events,family functions or where ever the bus took them. After Bill's passing Sonja found many friends to go travelling with. Sonja's biggest joy was the trips she made to Holland to reconnect with her parents families, where she could put faces to the names she knew growing up. Sonja became the family historian compiling as much family history as possible, whether it was her family or someone else's family. She took great pleasure in helping organize family reunions, AHS reunions which she attended twice a year and organize events for the 50 Plus Group. Sonja's competitive nature shone through whether it was curling, golfing, bowling, senior games, or cards, she kept track of her games to see if she had improved or to see if she won or lost money in those Ramoli games. Sonja enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren doing crafts or watching whatever sport they were playing at the time. Sonja was never one to be found sitting around. She was always out enjoying life with her friends and not being able to go out and enjoy her sports/games with her friends was a very diffult side effect of the illness to endure. Sonja will be sadly missed by her family Grant of Rivers, Dallas(Claire) Emma and Hanna of Oromocto, NB, Donna (Dave) Jon (Ashley Beck),Jennifer and James Treloar of Rivers, Kathy(Kurt)Vinge of Chilliwack, B.C., and Scott (Chris Melvin) Morgan and Cameron of Rivers. Sonja will fondly be remembered by sisters Joanna Giesbrecht of Grinrod, B.C., Audrey (Jim) Ashton of Rivers, brothers Cedric (Shirley) van Drecht of Churchbridge, Saskatchewan, Reg (Sheila) van Drecht of Fredericton, NB., sister-in-laws Helen Wiltsey and Marion Waldon of Brandon and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Sonja was predeceased by husband Bill Ramsay, parents Jean and Gerald van Drecht, brothers Jerry and Denise van Drecht, brothers and sisters-in-laws Hank Giesbrecht, Tom Ramsay, Bill Waldon, Allan Wiltsey, Jean Billings, Florence and Alf Hearn, Jim Campbell, Sheila and Mike Postak and Isla Garner, nieces Barbra Wiltsey, Jennifer Waldon, Jean Smith, nephews Gordy Campbell and Michael Beattie. A celebration of Sonja's life took place Sept 3,2010 at Rivers United Church, officiated by Glenna Beauchamp followed by a reception at the Rivers Legion Hall. A family interment was held at Marney Cemetery, north of Cardale. For those desiring donations may be made in Sonja's memory to Rivers Recreation Fundraising Committee, Box 220, Rivers, Manitoba, R0K 1X0 or Riverdale Palliative Care Program c/o Riverdale Health Center, Rivers, Manitoba, R0K 1X0. Arrangements made with Campbell's Funeral Home.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 18, 2010