Sonja Ruth (Bredesen) Olson

Sonja Ruth Olson (90), of Little Chute, WI was born into Eternal Life on August 9, 2024. She was the loving wife and best friend of Allen for 71 years, mother of 6: David (Janet) Olson, Kristi (Jim) Hedrington, Douglas (Charlene McEvoy) Olson, Jon (Maureen) Olson, Robert (Gena) Olson, Paul (Kari) Olson; proud grandma of 17: Amber (Ryan) Bosler, Jordan (fiancé Lisetta) Hedrington, Shane Hedrington, Cassandra (Justin) Williams, Julia (Spencer) Wigmore; William, Ian, Charlotte, & Grace Olson, Quinn Olson, Anna (Colton) Dibbs, Claire & Evan Olson, Sadie (Taylor) Ingenthron, Caleb ( fiancé Isabelle) Olson, Jonah, & Kate Olson; great grandmother of 14: Abigail, Madelyn, Charlie, and Nora Bosler, Carsyn, Aidene, Nolan  & Henry-Lynn Hedrington; Elaine, Levi  & Charlotte Hedrington, Eliza and Adrienne Williams, and Everly Ingenthron;  sister of Elaine Gjermo, and Arlo (Judy) Bredesen; sister-in-law of Judy Bredesen, Harriet (Al) Long, Cornelius (Shirley) Olson. She is further survived by other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by daughter, Kristi Hedrington, parents Adolph and Edna Bredesen, sister Elaine Gjermo, brother Arlo Bredesen, niece Julie Gjermo Gunderson, sister-in-law Harriet Long, brother-in-law’s Alvin Long and Cornelius Olson, father-in-law Harry Olson, and mother-in-law Agnes Olson.

 Sonja Bredesen was born in Stoughton, WI where she met her future husband Allen Olson in high school. They married at age 19 and 21 respectively. They resided in many locations as their family grew, including Stoughton, Colorado Springs, Delevan, Chippewa Falls, and Little Chute. Sonja was a strong loving and kind mother, daughter, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, and filled her life with family and friends. In her prime years you would find her rosemaling, rug braiding, sewing, making dresses, knitting, needlepointing, crafts, playing guitar at nursing homes, cooking, baking, canning, tending her flower beds, gardening, antiquing, restoring furniture, at kids sporting events, & playing cards. She was also a district secretary for Sherwin-Williams Company for many years. Words that describe Sonja from her family: sweet, caring, kind, patient, clever, supportive, loving, and fiercely loyal to her family. Her husband describes her simply as beautiful. And we can’t forget the smile - best ever, even during her last days. Their retirement highlight, aside from family which was foremost, was a trip to Norway to see their shared heritage and connect with relatives there.

 Mom, you were all about family through thick and thin. You taught us so much. So graceful, so loving, so kind.  Her faith in Jesus Christ as Savior for forgiveness of sins was central to her and Allen’s life together. They pass that faith onto others in loving ways and by example. Her faith in a few words is simply put in words to one of her favorite songs: “I will rise, when He calls my name.”

The family would like to thank all the caregivers at Aspire Senior Living in Kimberly, where they have resided since late 2017. Also, Moments Hospice in her last several months as they came along side Aspire to care for Sonja. Also, a special thank you to Lee and Gena.

A memorial service for Sonja will be held on Saturday,  August 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Verkuilen Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 101 Canal St. Little Chute.  A time of visitation  will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.  For online condolences please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.  In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established.