Sonja Lynne Nielsen

Sonja Lynne (Larsen) Nielsen of Waunakee, WI (formerly of Freeport, IL) passed away peacefully on Monday, October 19, 2026 at the age of 83. She was born September 14, 1943 in DeKalb, IL, the daughter of Florence and Sigurd Larsen. She married Rudolph (Rudy) Roy Nielsen on August 13, 1966 in DeKalb, IL.

Sonja grew up in Illinois until she and her family moved to France in 1950 to learn the language, and then to Cameroon in West Africa, where her parents were missionaries with the Lutheran Church. She lived in Cameroon and the Central African Republic from age 7 to 18, with one furlough year back in the United States.

At the age of 18, she left her parents in Africa to return to the States for her senior year of high school at Augustana Academy in Canton, SD. There she met her sweetheart Rudy, and they met again when they both attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Sonja got her BS in elementary education, and she and Rudy married upon their graduation from Concordia in 1966. They moved to Big Rock, IL and both taught public school until Rudy joined the Army and served overseas in Vietnam. During those years, Sonja lived near her family in Ottawa, IL.

She spent many years as a mother and homemaker, and then took a part-time job at McDonald’s when her family moved to Freeport, IL, to allow her the flexibility to be available to her kids as they were growing up. Sonja continued to work at McDonald’s for 25 years, and became well-known in the Freeport community for her friendly demeanor, and for playing the accordion during the Christmas season in the McDonald’s lobby!

She was a proud and loving mother and grandmother of her three kids and five grandkids (as well as a handful of “adopted” kids and grandkids!), and she regularly reminded them all of how loved they were.

Sonja could be silly, spontaneous, and would always say what was on her mind. She passionately loved animals, especially cats and wild birds, and always had pet cats throughout her life (her last cat, Taco, has found a loving home with Lynnea’s friend Karin). Sonja loved nature, camping, cooking hot dogs and baked beans over a stick fire, or eating Taco Bell in the car with Rudy, while watching the sun set over the lake or the Krape Park dam. You could always find pinecones, acorns, or a good stick around Sonja’s house! Time talking with loved ones over a cup of coffee was precious to her, and she had an impressive collection of coffee mugs! She had a talent for music, and played both piano and the accordion.

She had an incredible memory, and was especially gifted with languages. Sonja spoke English, French, Gbaya (from Cameroon), bits of Japanese and Spanish, and was always picking up more. After her early life lived abroad, she had a deep appreciation for the cultures and experiences of others, and loved to find out where everyone was from, either by birth, heritage, or immigration.

She was gracious, patient, and uncomplaining, even when facing the changes to her health and mobility that came in her later years. But what she is most remembered and known for was the way that she met everyone with love, a wide-open heart, and true curiosity. Her kindness was such an essential and all-encompassing part of who she was, and she made a strong impact on most people she met, from service staff in shops or restaurants, to her medical providers, caregivers, church friends, and her family. Everyone around Sonja felt loved, remembered, held, and cared for by Sonja because they truly were. If you had a chance to know Sonja, you can be sure that she prayed for you with true earnestness whether she told you this or not.

Sonja was part of countless Bible studies throughout her life, as well as an enthusiastic choir member from high school on. She and Rudy sponsored children in need through World Vision from the Vietnam era through the rest of her life. She and Rudy led monthly church services at a Freeport nursing home for 20 years, and were regular volunteers at Freeport FACC food pantry and homeless shelter. She was always an active member in her church communities, and was a member of both Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Crossroads Church in Freeport, IL, and became a member of Burke Lutheran Church when she moved to Madison, WI in 2016. She truly lived her faith and was a role model to many. Sonja’s last spoken word was “Hallelujah!”

She is survived by her son, Dan (Juliana) Nielsen of Wheaton, IL; daughter, Lynnea Nielsen (Brian Gassman) of Madison, WI; daughter, Heidi Marzen (Carl Mickelson) of Madison, WI; grandchildren Louie, Violet, Leif, Nadia, and Stella; and siblings Paul (Linda) Larsen, Rachel (David) Kronlokken, and Ruth Center. She is also survived by many cherished in-laws, nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Rudy, her parents Sigurd and Florence Larsen, her sister Ingrid Clark, and brother Geoffrey Larsen.

Her funeral service, burial, and celebration of life will be Saturday, December 5, 2026 at Burke Lutheran Church and Cemetery, with service starting at 11am. Sonja’s family feels deep gratitude for the excellent, compassionate care from The Legacy of DeForest, Waunakee Valley Senior Living, and Agrace Hospice. They also want to thank the Burke Lutheran Church community, and Sonja’s “extra daughter” April Manning.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Global Health Ministries, an organization that provides medical supplies to resource-poor parts of the world. Sonja saw the impact of their work growing up in west Africa, and during her visit back to Cameroon in 2008.