1941
Sonia
2024
Sonia Utterback
March 18, 1941 — July 2, 2024
SONIA ANN UTTERBACK passed to the other side of the veil on July 2, 2024. Sonia was born on March 18, 1941 in Milwaukee to Floyd and Olga (nee Gall) Thompson. She married Jack Donald Rasmussen July 3, 1965 and was widowed six years later. In 1979 she committed to the late Gerald Bienlein, until they lovingly separated in 1986. Her life came full circle when, in 1989 she married her first love, Phillip Utterback, 27 years after they parted ways. He predeceased her in February 2023. Her children have faith that all three, and many others, were waiting and helping her in her transition.
Sonia was a loving and supportive mother to Eric (Kris) Schumacher-Rasmussen and Anne (Thomas) Clark and stepmother to Derek and Carl (Reem) Utterback. She was the proud grandmother to Joe (Cori) Simon-Ramussen, Eric (Emma) Clark, Maren & Isaac Schumacher-Rasmussen, and Zain & Kenz Utterback. She was blessed with three great grandchildren: Graham, Evan, and June Simon-Rasmussen.
Sonia devoted her life to her family and trying to better the world for them and others. She was passionate about helping high-risk persons, particularly women, through her work with domestic violence organizations (FRIENDS in West Bend, PAVE in Beaver Dam, and Passages in Richland Center). She co-founded the Displaced Homemaker program at Moraine Park Technical College. It was the first program of its kind in the nation, and she testified before a Congressional committee to advocate for more resources for similar efforts. In the early 2000s, she was director of the City of West Bend Housing Authority. She was an astrologer for over 50 years and helped and guided many people through that practice.
Sonia believed that we are all one and that the Divine is within each of us. She loved her family and friends fiercely, as they did her, and she did it all with a wicked, irreverent sense of humor. She was a voracious reader, lifelong learner, and passionate about writing and journaling. Her cooking was legendary among family and friends, especially her spaghetti sauce, sloppy joes, and strawberry spinach salad.
A memorial event will be held at The Chapel of the Archangels at 839 Madison Street in Beaver Dam on Sunday, July 14, 2024, with visitation 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., followed by a time of sharing and celebrating her 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com .
Sonia was a loving and supportive mother to Eric (Kris) Schumacher-Rasmussen and Anne (Thomas) Clark and stepmother to Derek and Carl (Reem) Utterback. She was the proud grandmother to Joe (Cori) Simon-Ramussen, Eric (Emma) Clark, Maren & Isaac Schumacher-Rasmussen, and Zain & Kenz Utterback. She was blessed with three great grandchildren: Graham, Evan, and June Simon-Rasmussen.
Sonia devoted her life to her family and trying to better the world for them and others. She was passionate about helping high-risk persons, particularly women, through her work with domestic violence organizations (FRIENDS in West Bend, PAVE in Beaver Dam, and Passages in Richland Center). She co-founded the Displaced Homemaker program at Moraine Park Technical College. It was the first program of its kind in the nation, and she testified before a Congressional committee to advocate for more resources for similar efforts. In the early 2000s, she was director of the City of West Bend Housing Authority. She was an astrologer for over 50 years and helped and guided many people through that practice.
Sonia believed that we are all one and that the Divine is within each of us. She loved her family and friends fiercely, as they did her, and she did it all with a wicked, irreverent sense of humor. She was a voracious reader, lifelong learner, and passionate about writing and journaling. Her cooking was legendary among family and friends, especially her spaghetti sauce, sloppy joes, and strawberry spinach salad.
A memorial event will be held at The Chapel of the Archangels at 839 Madison Street in Beaver Dam on Sunday, July 14, 2024, with visitation 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., followed by a time of sharing and celebrating her 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sonia Utterback, please visit our flower store.
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