Sonja Jean Siders

sonja siders

February 21, 1936 ~ August 28, 2019

Born in: Somerville, Massachusetts
Resided in: Lilburn, Georgia

Sonja Jean Siders Sonja Jean (Klafstad) Siders, 83, of Lilburn, GA passed away peacefully on August 28, 2019. Sonja was born in Somerville, MA on February 21, 1936 and raised in Belmont, MA and Trumbull, CT. In 1958, Sonja married Bob Siders, and they shared a life devoted to each other and their family. Sonja graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s Degree. She was very active on the school committee in Medfield, MA; instrumental in getting a learning disability program going in Spartanburg, SC, active in the PTA in Lilburn, GA. She retired as a Sales Associate from Rich’s/Macy’s. Sonja loved swimming, hiking, sailing, canoeing, and traveling. She always had a smile on her face and loved getting to know people. She has been an active member in the Sons of Norway since 2007. She enjoyed learning more about her Norwegian heritage and loved talking to family in Norway. She absolutely enjoyed looking at and receiving all varieties of beautiful flowers. Sonja was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Siders; parents, Regina M. White and Erling Klafstad; brother, Erling Klafstad, Jr; sister, Ragnhild Fay Carpenter; and son, Timon T Siders. Sonja is survived by her sister Julie Runnells; sons, Thomas T Siders (wife, Christine Alex) and James J Siders (wife, Debbie Siders); daughter, Sheryl (Siders) Speer; 8 wonderful grandchildren, Thomas Siders, Lea Siders, Erik Siders (wife, Joanna Siders), James Siders, Brittany Siders, Kristin Speer, Justin Speer, and Michael Speer; and 1 sweet and adorable great-grandchild Brielle Siders. Celebration of Life and reception will be September 15, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 1400 Killian Hill Rd SW, Lilburn, GA 30047. In lieu of flowers, Sonja would appreciate you sharing flowers with someone you love, an old friend, a stranger, a nursing home, someone you have not seen in a while, someone having a bad day, or just someone just because.

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Guestbook

  1. Sheryl I knew your mother from the aquatic center. We became friends just chatting. I looked forward to see her. She was a very nice lady and was very nice to me.
    I am so sorry she passed away.
    Sincerely
    Stephen Rainbolt

  2. Sharyl, Kristin, Jamie and family,

    Have many memories with Sonja at pool, her home, and our phone chats. Have growing lenten roses that she gave me from her yard. We talked about everything and most of all knowing Jesus personally, that Sonja could have a relationship with HIM.
    UNTIL we meet again,
    Daniela

  3. Sonja had the most friendly, warm, and loving smile! I was one of many swimmers that was greeting by her to join in the fun and benefit of swim exercise. I knew if she could swim so beautifully then maybe I had a chance too. Sonja was an inspiration with such a positive attitude. I have been blessed to have met her. My prayers are with her family and friends at this time.

  4. Sonja was such a great friend and terrific lady whom we learned to love over the years. She hardly ever missed a day at the pool and she loved attending the Peter Mayer Concerts in December of each year as well as other concerts and functions. Sonja was a determined fighter who overcame all adversities and regardless of any health issues she had, she always minimized them and had a smile and encouraging word for anyone she met.
    Brian & Sharri Siegmund

  5. I too knew Sonja from the Mountain Park Aquatic Center. She always had a beaming smile and supportive word to share. We shared many wonderful conservations standing the pool, always laughing. A light has gone out of our lives. She will be so greatly missed – but will never be forgotten. Our sincerest condolences on your loss. Peace be with you.

  6. Vincent and Linda Byams
    Sept 09 090919
    I will miss my friend who preferred lane #5. She always had a pleasant disposition no matter how she was feeling. Truly an inspiration to me to stop complaining about my aches and pains. She was truly a good person who had a very positive outlook on life. Swimming and then talking about life and family while on that wall. I’ve been swimming at Mountain Park since 2005…..it seems iv’e known Sonja longer than that. She will be missed by all who have come across her path. I will miss my friend from Massachusetts by way of Norway.

  7. I met Sonja at the swimming pool and was inspired by her passion for swimming. Every time when I met her at the pool, my heart was always warmed by her beautiful smile and kind greetings. She will be dearly missed. May she rest in peace.

  8. Since I started coming regularly after the pool opened and I retired, Sonja’s lap time and mine very often coincided. We talked a LOT! Often we’d get in conversation and realize we’d been there for much time without swimming. Talked about MA where part of my family lives, we commiserated when people in the family passed, talked about how much we enjoyed water activities. She and I were talking across a couple of lanes before it happened. I always looked for her coming in to the pool area, usually a little after I’d started – and it was hard to realize the next time that she wasn’t there. I will miss her terribly – she warmed the heart of everyone she made acquaintance of. My deepest sympathies and love to the family that she loved, and I have known as well. Bill K.


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