Sonjia I Richardson, age 70 of Elmwood, died Sunday, September 26, 2021 at her home in Elmwood with her family by her side after a brief battle with cancer.

Sony was born on November 30, 1950 in Somerset. She was the daughter of Evelyn Nelson. Sony grew up in Somerset and graduated from Somerset High School in 1968. After high school, Sony worked as a waitress at the LaBon’s Truck Stop in Hudson. Later, Sony took a job as a teller at the Bank of Somerset in Somerset. In the summer of 1969 Sony married Michael “Mick” Rivard and together they had two sons and later divorced. In 1977, Sony took a job with MRM Elgin, she worked in the same cubical for 36 years, through five different company buyouts. Sony married Rodney Richardson in 1999 and gained two step-daughters and five grandchildren. Together they lived in Elmwood and enjoyed their life, friends and family.

Sony enjoyed birdwatching, going to races and spending time on her deck visiting with family and friends.

Sony is survived by her children, Rick (Krista) Rivard of Baldwin, Chad (Amy) Rivard of Baldwin, Shari (Greg) Koehler of River Falls and Gwen (Larry) Eccles of Plum City;  seven grandchildren, Sarah (Pat Schultz) Hartung, Kayla (Brian) Buck, Jake (Sarah) Hartung, Katelyn (Jane) Plank, Kelsey (Timmy) Klinski, Ruby Rivard and Gavin Nichols, seven great-grandchildren, Lucas, Samuel, Charles Hartung, Carter and Jackson Buck, Brinley and Gabriella Klinski; nephew, Chris West of Burnsville, MN, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Nelson; husband, Rodney Richardson and one brother, Keith Nelson.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00PM-7:00PM with a time of sharing at 7:00PM Saturday, October 2, 2021 at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand. Burial will be at a later date at the Northwest Wisconsin Veteran’s Cemetery in Spooner.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.

Condolences

1. Ruby Rivard November 30, 2021, at 2:12pm

   Happy birthday grandma Sonja!! We really miss you and I love you. Hope your doing good on your deck in heaven with grandpa rod and your brother. We miss you greatly ????????????????

2. Tanja Gift October 1, 2021, at 12:50am

   I will never forget how we met first, it was Rod and Sonjia on their back porch and our dogs then decided they needed to meet them, ever since we stopped and said hello, the dogs passes, Rod passed, we got a set of new pups, and Sonja got to meet them, she always had a smile and kind words. She will be always in my ❤!

3. Bill O'Connell September 30, 2021, at 10:10am

   Sonjia's smile was a pleasure to have around everyday that she was working with us. Such a good attitude and caring person. My condolences and sympathies to Rod and Family. Bill O'C

4. Jean Zeithaml September 28, 2021, at 3:52pm

   We are so surprised and saddened by this news. Sonjia was such a nice friendly person and we are so grateful for the good neighbors she and Rod were to my parents, Frank and Adeline. Our deepest condolences to the family.

5. Roxane Carroll September 28, 2021, at 3:34pm

   I enjoyed working with Sonjia in New Richmond for many years. I am sorry to hear of her passing.

6. Douglas Gustafson September 28, 2021, at 3:13pm

   Sony will always have a very special place in my heart. She was a very caring and genuine person. I enjoyed all the years I was lucky enough to work with her. I will miss her dearly.

7. Tanya Maves September 28, 2021, at 2:30pm

   My condolences to Sonjia’s family and friends whom many of them were like family as well. Sonjia had a very calming way about her and I will miss our chats. God Bless…

8. Anja Fuchs September 28, 2021, at 6:07am

   All my thoughts are with the whole family. Sonjia was such a loveable & caring person. So grateful that I got to know her.

9. marge binkowski September 27, 2021, at 7:27pm

   Shari, Gwen and Sonjia's sons and families; Sincere sympathy in the loss of a wonderful lady. Loved being her and Rod's neighbor. Marge and Rony Binkowski

10. Jayne & Jerry Holt September 27, 2021, at 3:15pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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