Sonja Thygeson

Marlo Sonja Thygeson, 84, passed away peacefully at the Benedictine Living Community in Crookston, MN on Saturday, November 25, 2023. 

Sonja was born in Moorhead, Minnesota, on November 6, 1939.  She was the first of 2 children born to Ellsworth Bryan (E.B.) and Pearl Stalheim.  Her brother, Daryl, later joined their tight family. 

Sonja moved to Crookston after graduating from Moorhead High School to become a nurse.  She graduated as an LPN and became a pediatric nurse at Saint Francis Hospital.  She met her lifelong friends in her early nursing years.  Friends that remained in her life until her passing. 

She married Thomas Thygeson on July 19, 1969 in Crookston.  The family was completed with children, Michael and Lisa.  She chose to be a stay-at-home mom, giving up her nursing career for a time while she and Tom raised their two busy kids.  She made sure she made it to all of her children’s activities.  Even in the stormy Minnesota winter weather, her and Tom were not going to miss a hockey game!  When Tom became diagnosed with cancer, she decided to go back to her nursing career and started working until her retirement at the Villa St. Vincent.  She loved being a nurse and helping others. 

Sadly, Tom passed away in January of 1993.  She grieved his loss greatly but kept moving on.  She was the most supportive mother and grandmother.  She loved having her two oldest grandchildren come and spend the holidays and time in the summer with her.  She loved going to her grandchildren’s activities as she was able.  She was proud of each accomplishment all of her grandchildren made and was sure to tell EVERYONE about each and every thing they achieved.  She would pop into her grandchildren’s driveway and honk the horn waiting for them to come out the door.  She was bribing them to do chores for her for a chocolate shake. 

She loved to read and gossip and needed to know everything about everyone.  She was a Vikings fan and continued to watch the Vikings on TV even close to her passing.  She loved when Sydney and Molly would bring the great grandchildren to see her.  She loved family and had many special trips her very special cousins, Ed Stalheim and Gayle Fjelstad. 

Sonja is survived by her children, Michael of Kalispell, Montana and Lisa of Crookston.  Her grandchildren, Sydney Thygeson of Thief River Falls, Taylor Dutcher or Fargo, ND, Molly Brown (Brennen Solie) of East Grand Forks, MN, Zach Brown of Grand Forks, ND, and Carly Brown of Crookston.  Her sweet great grandchildren, Ryder and Kittsyn of TRF and Drew and Blake Solie of EGF, MN.  Brothers-in-law, Mike (ElRae) Thygeson of Burnsville, MN and Tim (Judy) Thygeson of Fair Oaks, California as well and many nieces and nephews.  Her cousins Ed Stalheim of Fargo, ND and Gayle Fjelstad of Salt Lake City, Utah. 

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Tom, her parents and her brother Daryl; mother-in-law, Martha Thygeson; a sister-in-law Kathryn Simpkins, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. 

She will be missed so much but her family will continue to talk about her, share memories with each other and feel so blessed she was a part of their family. 

 The Prayer Service honoring Sonja's life will be on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM, at Stenshoel-House Funeral Home in Crookston.  Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service.