Sonja Rae (Zobrak) Knutson

Sonja Rae Knutson, age 84, passed away on December 29, 2021, in Chetek, Wisconsin.

Sonja was born on March 22, 1937, to Selma and Michael Zobrak in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

Sonja attended grade school at Africa School & Prairie Lake Heights School, graduating at the age of 12 from 8th grade. She then went on to graduate from Chetek High school in 1953. She was baptized and had her confirmation at the New Scandinavian Church. Sonja married Chester Bowers on February 6, 1954. After 30 years of marriage, Chester sadly passed away on March 29, 1984. Sonja went on to marry Burton Knutson on May 22, 1994 at the Chetek Lutheran Church. After nearly 18 years of marriage, Burton passed away on April 10, 2012.

Sonja was a farmer’s wife and absolutely loved the country life. She was chosen as Barron County’s Farm Woman of 1986. She was a 4-H leader and officer for years. Sonja worked with Laotian families, was a part of the F.H.A. Board and taught Sunday school as a member of Chetek Lutheran Church. She enjoyed traveling, bowling, and thrift sales, especially shopping for Luther World Relief Kits.

She will be greatly missed by many.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Selma and Michael Zobrak, 1st husband, Chester Bowers, 2nd husband, Burton Knutson, daughter, Denise Murch, and siblings Norton Zobrak and Kathleen Weller.

Sonja is survived by her children, Rick (Kathy) Bowers, Deslyn (Steve) Dahlquist, and Rodney (Shari) Bowers, son-in-law, Karl Murch, step children, Lori (Jeff) Pfaff, Jim Knutson, and Jerry Knutson, step grandchildren, Katelyn (Noah) Musial and Morgan Pfaff, grandchildren, Kelli (Brian) Donohoo, Erik (Brea) Murch, Kerri (Joe) Witschen, Bradley (Stephanie) Bowers, Bryan Bowers, Blake (Angela) Bowers, Kirsten (Kevin) Van Camp, Joshua Bowers, Brandyn (Madison) Dahlquist, and Jayson Dahlquist, great grandchildren, Masen, Rylen and Adylen Donohoo, Mayla and Kaia Murch, Ellia and Colden Witschen, and Madison and Brooks Bowers, sister, Carla Oftedahl, as well as many other loving family and friends.

A memorial service for Sonja will be held on Sunday, January 2nd, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. at the Chetek Lutheran Church. A visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 before the service. A lunch will follow in the fellowship hall.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Funeral Home in Chetek, Wisconsin.

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