Sonia Gail Anderson McDonald Stephenson passed away on Friday, November 14, 2014, in Minot, North Dakota from a heart attack at the age of 38. Sonia was born in Medford, Oregon on April 18, 1976. She grew up in Delta, Utah with her family. As a little girl, she loved to be inside. She was always cold and never strayed far from the fireplace, cuddling with her blanket and watching TV.
Even at a young age she was cleaning, cooking, and taking care of her young siblings. She wasn’t interested in much but she did play the piano quite well. She also showed pigs in the stock show. As she got into high school, she became interested in make-up and cosmetology. Her family recounts how she would “come home with a new hair color every day”.
At the age of sixteen, in 1993, she gave birth to her first daughter, Jackalyn Elise Anderson. Not long after she was married to Ben McDonald. They had twin daughters in 1996, Jordan Dee and Jerri Anne McDonald. The couple later divorced. Five years after the twins, in 2001, Sonia had her fourth and final daughter, Kiara Alyssa Shay Stephenson. Later in life Sonia was privileged to be there for the birth of her first grandchild, Zalee Gail Arenson.
Sonia is survived by her husband: Nathan Stephenson; parents: Deb and Jack Anderson; her daughters: Jackie Arneson (Kurtis), Jordan McDonald, Jerri McDonald, and Kiara Stepheson; sisters: Tabby Anderson, Jill King, Bridgette King (Russ), brothers: Seth Anderson, Westly Anderson; granddaughter: Zaleé Gail Arneson; and five nieces. Preceded in death by grandparents: Leona and Clarence Anderson; LaVean and Deon Gillen and many loving aunts and uncles.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, November 22, at the Deseret-Oasis Ward Chapel, at 11:00 am; with a viewing held prior to the service, 9:30-10:40 am.
.