Sonja Jobes
March 3, 1940 - April 16, 2025
Sonja Jobes, age 85, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at her home. Sonja was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on March 3, 1940, to Andres and Antoinette van Doornik. She met a dashing, young American GI by the name of Albert “Bert” Jobes at age 15 and they married on December 22, 1958 after she turned 18. After Bert retired from the service, they made their home in Bloomington, MN. Sonja worked as a bookkeeper for Saga Foods for a number of years. When she left that, she became a business owner, opening her own art studio where she taught classes and inspired many to find and nurture their own creative juices. A gifted artist, Sonja embraced any new creative interests whole-heartedly. Her portraits and drawings came alive on canvas with expressive eyes that reach out to the viewer. She became an avid member of the local quilting group and loved not only quilting, but anything involved with sewing.
Sonja was much loved by anyone who knew her. A gifted storyteller, she was enthusiastically welcomed at campfires where her stories came alive and she got her audience laughing. She was sweet but feisty, living life to the fullest and inspiring others to embrace their creativity with the same gusto that she embraced hers.
Sonja is survived by her children, Albert (Tammy) Jobes, Jr. of Pine Island, MN, Robin Jobes of Mandan, ND, Denise (Alan) Wright of Reed City, MI; 3 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Paulette Reid of Reed City, MI; many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bert, on September 25, 2011; her parents; 4 sisters.
A Catholic Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Bruzek Funeral Home with MaryCarol Wolf officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 5-7 PM and Tuesday morning from 7:30 AM until service time. A lunch will be held at Le Fete Royale (formerly The Depot) following the service and burial will occur at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at 1:30 PM.
Sonja loved color in her life – family requests that you honor her by coming to her services in colorful attire!
Sonja’s love for animals led her to saving bunnies, squirrels, and raccoons through the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to that organization: wrcmn.org
Sonja die van nix alles kon toveren. Dat zij mag rusten in vredem
Sorry for your loss, I would have loved to hug her one last time. So gifted and a trye artist Sonja held the record with me for a 7 hour phone call. We could talk all night. Love you my dear friend
So sorry for your loss. She was a sweet lady who I wish we would have gotten to spend more time with! A wonderful neighbor. May she rest in peace and you all find comfort with each other sharing her memories.
Dear Albert, Denise and family, I am so sorry to hear this and sad I cannot be there I am visiting my family in South Africa and enjoyed visiting with Sonja at the Parkview Clinic and at her house, speaking in my broken Dutch with her. What a special lady and dear friend. May God comfort you and her sweet memories sustain you through this dark time. Blessings, Alta
We med in Aschaffenburg Germany, she whas a verry good friend, she will be missed.
We met Sonje when she came to Canada to see my Uncle Roly Armitage. Sonje was a very nice lady with great artistic talent.
Rest in peace Sonje, we are better people now having met you.
I remember grandma Nelly always taking us to her pool every summer. Very good memories!
Sonja was always telling stories of when she met Bert and their life together . She loved her family! She was so smitten with Bert! I enjoyed her very fun humor and honesty. She sure said what was on her mind! What a beautiful lady.
I have groomed her dogs for over 10 years. We all loved when she would come in, she had the best stories! We will all miss her terribly. Such an amazing person. So sorry for your loss.
I knew Sonja from our time at Edgewater Beach Resort. I loved her stories and her upbeat personality. She was one in a million. I am so thankful she came into my life and I will have forever in my heart, her wonderful memories. Love you, Sonja
I am so sorry to hear this. I met Her one day years ago- at our garage sale of all places! She was so fun to talk too. I know we talked over a hour! Since then we have been friends on here. I will co sure miss her. My deepest sympathies to you all. RIP sweet lady.
Sonja was so much fun to be around, feisty is a good adjective. Her stories were amazing, we will miss her.
I always thought Sonja was such a sweet person.Always good to me.
Eric Michelle & Cheyenne Kranenburg The loss of our aunt Sonja immediately brings back memories of the beautiful time in Germany What Sonja and uncle Burt meant to us is unforgettable, the hospitality and the adventure We have never forgotten and we will never forget….. I often think of my American Sergeant when they came to the Netherlands with the children Bert Robin and Denise! I will also never forget that I went on holiday to America at a young age while friends had not yet left the city Bert Robin Denise much strength with your loss hope to keep… Read more »
She was the best aunt anyone could have. It was a great plessure spending time with her, her hughs, her talent on so many things and her attention for her world. I enjoyed her many hugs and kisses. Her great family stories are in my heart. Its good to know she is with her family again, all the members she sadley let go. The first one, her dad, when she was just 3 years old. The van Doornik clan is complete now in heaven. I will never forget your arms around me in 2020, they were exact my mum arms… Read more »
Such a delightfully beautiful lady. So blessed to have known her. Rest in peace Sonja.
Grandma will live forever and ever in our hearts! <3
You were an inspiration to so many of us, loved with your whole heart Aunt Sonia. Will be dearly missed. Love you and until we meet again fly high.