Sonja Skadberg Shannon, age 84, of Hermosa, SD, passed away at Edgewood of Mandan on March 5, 2026.  Sonja was born June 8, 1941 in New Rockford, ND, to John and Mamie Skadberg, the youngest of 7 children.  Sonja attended country school before she and her sister (and closest friend) Judy moved to Carrington to complete their high school education.  Sonja graduated from Carrington High School in 1959.  In 1962 she earned her degree in elementary education from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.  Immediately after graduation, she accepted her first position, teaching 3rd grade in Barnesville, MN.

In 1962, Sonja married Arlo Neumiller of Sykeston, ND.  Shortly after marrying, they moved to Milwaukee, WI where Arlo attended Marquette University.  While Arlo was attending dental school, Sonja helped support the family teaching at a local elementary school in a low income neighborhood.  During these four years they welcomed their first child, Joel.  In 1969, the family settled in Cooperstown.  Sonja gave up teaching to help her husband establish his dental practice.  In 1970, all except Joel welcomed their daughter, Tanya.  In 1990, Sonja returned to school, earning her Masters Degree in School Psychology from Moorhead State University.  In 1992, Sonja and Arlo divorced.

In the summer of 1994, Sonja married Robert Shannon.  The couple moved to Watertown, SD where Sonja accepted her first position as a school psychologist.  They later moved to Rapid City where Sonja continued her work.  She was passionate about helping students, teachers, and parents diagnose learning problems in order to improve their educational experience.  With a new marriage came a new family, who Sonja welcomed with her customary warmth and love.  In 2007 the Shannons built a home in the Black Hills outside Hermosa, SD, where Sonja enjoyed the outdoors and entertained many guests.  In 2014, Sonja lost her husband Robert.  She spent the next decade enjoying her beautiful home in the hills in the company of her new dog, Molly, who she doted on like a third child.

Sonja loved her work.  In her spare time, she was an avid reader and skilled gardener.  Her front garden thrived under her careful attention.  Sonja also enjoyed golf, jam sessions, and gathering with friends and coworkers. Although she did not use makeup, she was always well dressed.  More than one person commented on her classy appearance.  She was fiercely proud of her Norwegian heritage and Skadberg name.  Even with her advanced dementia, she lovingly recalled how her sister Judy looked after her in the years after the death of their father.

Sonja was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings Stanley (Elsie) Skadberg, Jerry (Doris) Skadberg, Arlys (Ralph) Harmon, Marvin (Marvel) Skadberg, Kermit Skadberg, James (Patti) Skadberg, her brother in law Ron Semmens; and a stepson Patrick Shannon.  Sonja is survived by one sister, Judy Semmens of Mayville, ND; one sister in law, Jeanette Skadberg of Arizona; her son Joel (Penny) of Bismarck, ND, and her daughter Tanya (Ward Lunde) of Kindred ND; 5 grandchildren- Alex, Ilsa, Elena, Sydney, Colin, 2 great grandchildren – Runa and Gwyn; 2 stepsons: Roberta Bolton (John) of Buena Vista Colorado and Michael Shannon (Theresa) of Gillette WY, 14 step grandchildren, 20 step great grandchildren, and 12 step great great grandchildren.

A celebration of Sonja’s life will be held Friday, March 20, 2026 at Evans Funeral Home in Carrington, ND at 1:00PM.  A burial at the Carrington Cemetery and gathering will be held in Carrington on Friday, June 19, 2026.