Sonja Siemieniewski

July 12, 2019

Sonja LaVonne Siemieniewski was born on December 23, 1941 in Swede Prairie Township, near Clarkfield, Minnesota, on the family farm. She was the daughter of Sigvart and Pearl (Gunderson) Grevstad. Sonja was baptized and confirmed in her faith and attended the local country school. Sonja was united in marriage to Delano Mahlum on September 7, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran in Boyd, Minnesota. They were blessed with four children Alta, Deb, Delroy and Alroy. Together they shared 18 years before he passed away in November of 1975. On December 18, 1976, Sonja married George Siemieniewski at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart becoming a blended family which Sonja treasured. She always enjoyed making family feel special on their birthday by making them a special celebration. She always had a Christmas gift for everyone and would even find an extra gift if someone came unexpectedly. Everyone was always welcomed at her home. Sonja and George were blessed with one son, Wayne. Sonja owned the Viking’s Café in Sacred Heart for a few years and also worked at Warner’s Manufacturing and many local rentals. Sonja worked in the garden from sun up to sun down, growing produce for the local Farmer’s Markets, just to come back to the house to end her nights baking pies well into the night. Sonja was known far and wide as the “Pie Lady” because she would bake hundreds of pies which were brought to Willmar, Granite Falls and Montevideo’s weekly farmer’s market. Though Sonja was always working, that is what brought her joy. She considered her garden and kitchen her happy place and always had a smile on her face. Sonja will be remembered for her kindness and selflessness. She liked watching her daily soap opera and you could also find her enjoying watching wrestling on the TV. Above all, family was her world. Sonja is survived by her husband, George Siemieniewski of Sacred Heart; children, Deb Peterson, Delroy Mahlum, Alroy Mahlum; grandchildren, Dan (Mindy) Mahlum, Brandon (Jessica) Merrill, Jamie Rice, Maranda (Brandon) Shubert, Stephanie (Jake) Delisle, Christopher (Nicole) Mahlum, Sofia Mahlum, Julie Mahlum; special great grandchild who they raised as their own, Allyson Ahl and 10 more great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; step children, Kelly (Mary) Ham, Rochelle Hubert, Donna Honeycutt, Delina (Darryl) Jenkins, Sharon (Gary) Zea; 15 step grandchildren; 25 step great grandchildren; sister, Darlene (Chuck) Oellien; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Sonja was preceded in death by her parents, Sigvart and Pearl Grevstad; daughter, Alta Grandquist; son, Wayne Siemieniewski; granddaughter, Meagan Siemieniewski; grandson, Joey Siemieniewski; sister, Esther.