Sonja S. Nelson

Sonja S. Nelson, age 82 of Litchfield, MN died on Friday November 21, 2025 at her home on the Nelson Farm in Litchfield, MN. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Cornerstone Church in Litchfield, MN. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral and Cremation Service and will continue one hour before the service. Interment will be held in Rabbit Lake Cemetery, Aitkin, MN.

The service will be livestreamed at www.johnsonhagglund.com

Sonja Sharon Nelson was born to Andrew and Aili (Niemi) Lake on June 30, 1943 in Aitkin, MN. She graduated from Aitkin High School in 1961. She met Don Nelson at the bottom of the hill near Bailey Hall, while going to college on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota and they were united in marriage on April 2, 1966. Don and Sonja lived in Grove City, MN and moved to rural Litchfield a few years later, where they lived near Chicken Lake and then to the farm on Youngstrom Lake. Sonja was a member of the Finnish Lutheran Church in Aitkin, MN, First Baptist Church in Grove City, MN; the First Baptist Church in Litchfield; Holy Trinity Church in Boston, Lincolnshire when they lived in England with Frank and Sally, and later Cornerstone Church in Litchfield where she was very thankful to be able to watch the online services this past year.

She was a farmer's wife, an agricultural educator, a business owner, an extraordinary hostess, a seamstress, and used her spiritual gifts as a devout prayer warrior. She truly loved giving presents and treasured her family, friends and church. Over the years she worked for the telephone company, the fabric shop in Litchfield that was called The Hub and Library Square Restaurant; but for most of her life she gave barn tours at State Fairs, educated students about farming in the St. Paul and Minneapolis School Districts, made personalized cake pans, worked alongside Don with the Donut Wagon and helped operate the Nelson Farm Festival and field trips for 38 years. Although they never retired, Don and Sonja took time to travel and visit family during the winter; often going to Oklahoma, Padre Island, Arizona, Florida, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Hawaii. She loved to know what was happening in her family and friends lives and was never shy to ask questions or share her beliefs. Sonja enjoyed sewing, traveling, and having coffee while visiting.

She is survived by her husband Don; children Sue (Barth) Netterfield of Toronto, CA, Dave Nelson of Minneapolis, MN and Steve (Michelle Larson) Nelson of Litchfield, MN; grandchildren Joshua (Laura), Aili, Sophia (Wisam), Helena and Joel; brother Bob (Sharon) Lake; sisters Shirley Barber, Sandy Lake and Sally (Frank) Boswer; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother-in-law Delos.

In lieu of memorials, flowers are preferred; as Sonja loved flowers. Designated memorials may be given.