Sonja was born on January 12, 1940, to Sigvald and Anna (Smedsmo) Bakken at home in Spruce Township. She attended country school and graduated from Roseau High School in 1958. That same year she began a forty-five-year career as a dental assistant going to work for Dr. Harris in Roseau.
Sonja married Theodore Heyen Jr. on July 21, 1961. They had one daughter, Jennifer, born in 1971.
Sonja was an avid reader and life-long learner. She enjoyed history and geography and could look at maps for hours. She had a deep private faith and spent every morning reading her Bible. She was very compassionate towards animals and took in several dogs over the years. After Ted’s death in 1999, she continued to live in and manage Conifer Estates in Salol. She spent hours mowing, brushing, raking, and painting to maintain the property. Shortly before retirement, she was required to obtain a dental assistant license for which she studied for and passed. In her early retirement years, she traveled with family, including a trip to Norway. Sonja had artistic talent and took lessons to learn the craft of making stained glass. Making a hard choice in 2013, she gave up the country living she loved and moved to town where she enjoyed reading, embroidery, jigsaw puzzles, watching hockey and never missed an episode of Jeopardy.
Sonja is preceded in death by her husband Ted, her parents, mother and father-in-law Retta and Theodore Heyen Sr. and siblings, Sadie (Marlin) Dunham, Einar Bakken, Thelma (Orvis) Olson, Torris Bakken, infant brother, and brother-in-law Robert Stotts.
Sonja is survived by her daughter Jennifer (Wilfred) Moser, grandchildren Maisie and Owen Moser, sisters, Alma Stotts and Anita (Ray) Dunham, sisters-in-law Marlene Bakken and Sue Bakken, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Jennifer asks that you consider becoming a blood donor. Your donation can make the difference between life and death and allows families to cherish more moments together. If you currently donate, thank you!
A funeral service for Sonja Heyen of Roseau will take place on Friday, August 2, 2024 at Spruce Free Lutheran Church in Roseau at 11:00 am with a visitation an hour prior.
Last modified: 07/31/2024
