Alice Kathryn Sonju, who was born on January 30, 1942, to John and Kathryn Doll in Glen Ullin, ND, entered rest on June 16, 2014, comforted by the prayers of her family and friends. After battling brain cancer for nearly two years, she died in San Antonio, TX surrounded by family and her beloved dog, Cleo.
After graduating from high school in Hamilton, MT, Alice married Richard (Dick) A. Sonju Sr. in 1961 and together they had six children. Alice and Dick spent the beginning their life together in Seattle, WA, where Alice worked in the aircraft manufacturing industry for several years. They moved to Alaska in 1983 to pursue their mutual interest in camping and fishing. During their time in Alaska, Alice and Dick ran a small hunting/fishing lodge at Ekwok. Later they returned to Anchorage, where Alice worked at the State Crime Lab until her retirement in 2005.
Alice and Dick retired to the beautiful home they had built together in Willow, AK. There Alice looked forward to Alaska's long summer days, when she would tend to her magnificent, colourful flower beds, pick fresh peas and berries from her garden and feed the ducks that annually gave birth to new batches of ducklings on the bank of the river that marked the back boundary of her property. She especially enjoyed visits from her children and grandchildren and always had fresh-baked cookies, brownies or other goodies for them. The other children living in the area often came by for goodies as well and, even though not related, would call her Grandma.
Alice was a wonderful mother and homemaker who always maintained a positive outlook, even in trying times. She had a talent for turning simple items into ornate gifts, plain food into sumptuous meals, but most of all she was able to transform ordinary days into treasured memories.
In addition to her passion for gardening, Alice was an avid pet-lover, providing a caring home and daily tenderness to the numerous dogs and cats she raised for during her life, including: Ralphie, Jocko, Missy, Barney and her last dog, Cleo, a black cocker spaniel.
Alice was a loyal friend to all who knew her and always knew just the right thing to say to make others feel appreciated. She enjoyed volunteering at St. Christopher's Catholic Church and the Willow Community Center. She often helped distribute groceries at the Food Bank and found great pleasure in the friends she made at these organizations.
Alice is survived by five of her children and their spouses: Richard A. Sonju, Jr. of Anchorage, AK; Michael Sonju and wife Mary Baker-Sonju of Knoxville, TN; Larry Sonju and wife Jan of Seattle, WA; Sandy Habermann and husband Mark of Anchorage, AK.; and Patty-Jo Chacon and husband David of San Antonio, TX.; her son-in-law, Steve Frachey of Willow; and her grandchildren: Mary Alice Sonju, Cameron and Claire Sonju, Molly and Conner Hughes, Sarah and Steven Sonju, and Maddie and Zoey Chacon.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Sonju, Sr. and her daughter Johna K. Frachey.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Center at https://gifts.mdanderson.org by clicking on "Make a memorial or honor gift" in the name of Alice Sonju, 8027 Hermosa Hill, San Antonio, TX 78256. To fund brain cancer treatment click on the box near the bottom to choose where your donation will go and type in "Department of Neuro-Oncology, c/o Dr. Mark Gilbert."
Arrangements for a memorial service will be made at a later date.