Sonja Burns Wimmer

     Sonja was born on December 29,1938 to James Hamilton and Margaret Howell Burns.  The youngest of 8 children, she was named after Sonja Henie by her older brother Bob who met the Olympic skater at a USO show while in the Army.  She grew up on a dairy and cotton farm near Talladega, Alabama.  As a child she enjoyed helping with the dairy farm.  Sonja was head cheerleader at Munford, AL High School where she graduated in 1957.  Sonja met her husband Marlin, while working at Kennestone Hospital, near Dobbins Airforce Base, Marietta, GA.  They were married on Valentines Day 1959.  In 1962 the couple moved to Spencer, IA where Marlin was a police officer and Sonja worked for Spencer Hospital. At Spencer Hospital she worked as one of the 1^st radio switchboard operators, before moving into social services. She then went on to manage the office of Drs. Myerly, Throckmorton & Luepke, which later became Northwest Iowa Surgeons, a position she held until retirement in 2002.

     Sonja was active in the Eastern Star serving as Worthy Matron in 1993, and as the “Potentate’s Lady” in 2002. She also enjoyed serving as a greeter at the Methodist church & belonging to P.E.O. and a book club.  When cooking for family gatherings her homemade spaghetti sauce and fried apple pies were favorites.

     Sonja was preceded in death by her parents, 6 brothers and sisters, and her husband Marlin in 2004.  She is survived by her son Perre Wimmer and his wife Ann, grandsons Andrew (MacKenzie) and John.  Her daughter Sondra Mangold and grandchildren Jacob (Becky), Rachel and Sarah.  7 great-grandchildren and one sister Mary Faye Cochran.

In lieu of flowers Memorials may be given to the Iowa Chapter for Alzheimer's at: alz.org./Iowa