Sonja Marilyn Greta (Anderson, Christian) Java, 89, of Grantsburg, Wisconsin, passed away on March 13, 2024. Sonja was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, on Aug. 24, 1934, to Hugo and Ellen (Malmquist) Anderson after the family had moved from Louisiana looking for work.
When Sonja was at the age of 8 months, the family packed up and boarded a ship and moved to Sweden, where they lived for two years. They proceeded to move back to the USA, arriving in 1937 and ending up in the Trade Lake area. Sonja attended schools at Bass Lake and Grantsburg, graduating in 1952. In August of 1952 she married Russell Christian. They began their life together in Branstad where Russell was the manager of the Branstad Creamery and Sonja helped out at Wedell’s General Store. In the spring of 1958, they moved to the family farm. To this union three children were born, Steve, Doyle and Sue. The family farmed for the next 26 years until Russ’s death in 1984. Sonja and Doyle continued to farm for the next five years together until Sonja married Ken Java and moved to Frederic, Wisconsin, in 1990. Sonja and Ken enjoyed traveling together, entertaining at their home and family visits. Ken passed away in 2014 after they had spent almost 25 years of life together.
Sonja loved to watch her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities, sports and concerts. She also was well-known to the family for her Swedish pancakes and buttermilk donuts, an annual fall tradition which began with her dad and continued right up to the past deer-hunting season. There were years where she would make 30-40 dozen. She never turned down a game of cards. Sonja devoted many years to the Grantsburg Fair and also 4-H. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church for 72 years and was also a member of the Frederic Lioness Club.
Sonja was preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers, Richard, Herbert and Bertel Anderson; her husbands, Russ and Ken; stepchildren, Mike Java, Bev (Java) Brunberg and Marcia (Java) Anderson.
She is survived by her children, Steve (Deb), Doyle (Julie) and Sue (Paul) Hedlund; eight grandchildren and their spouses; 16 great-grandchildren with another on the way; stepchildren, Ruth (Duane) Picknell, Mark (Tammy) Java, Jon Anderson and Shelly Java; many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Bruce (Kathy) Java; sister-in-law, Audrey (Ed) Kaselau; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Grantsburg on Friday, March 22, from 4-7 p.m. The memorial service will take place on Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church in Grantsburg, with Pastor Jay Tickner officiating and luncheon to follow. Private family interment.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at swedberg-taylor.com.
