Obituary of Sonja Wheeler

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Sonja (Surjik) Wheeler. She passed away peacefully on July 8, 2020, in Regina, Saskatchewan, with her grandchildren Melanie Baumann and Justin Elliott by her side. Sonja was born May 19, 1932 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan to Jennie (Jesskar) Surjik and Stephen Surjik. 

Sonja graduated with an advanced degree in nursing from the University of Saskatchewan, and while she practiced for a few years she devoted most of her life to caring for her husband and 3 children. She lived in Swift Current, Saskatchewan from 1969 to 2013 where she raised her family with her husband Glenn. She enjoyed great times at her parents’ farm, at the lake fishing with her family, road trips and enjoying the outdoors. In her later years her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her great joy. She will be missed by all who knew her. 

She is survived by her daughter Larisa Wheeler, her husband Marc Bracci and children Antonino and Lorenzo; her youngest daughter Kim Wheeler, her husband Robin Knight and daughters Rachel Knight (Brad Davis) and Sarah Knight (Ahmed Ben Hriz) and their daughter Melia; her granddaughter Melanie (Elliott) Baumann, her husband Ryan and their sons Logan and Owen; and grandson Justin Elliott, his wife Camille (Sloan) Elliott and their daughters Emerson and Adeline. She is survived by her loving brothers, David Surjik and Victor Surjik, sister-in-law Evelyn (Korbut) Surjik, and by her cousin Vicki (Surjik) McBain.

Sonja is survived by her nieces and nephews David Surjik, Stephen Surjik, Myeva Surjik, Lynda Surjik, Del Surjik, Nadine Surjik, Lyndon Surjik, Bradley Surjik, J’neene (Surjik) Ethier, Colleen (Lefebre) Lill, Kathy (Lefebre) Breedlove, Joanne (Lefebre) Stevens, and their families and children.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Glenn, her eldest daughter Glenda (Wheeler) Elliott, son-in-law Jerry Elliott, her youngest brother Randy Surjik, her sister-in-law Myrtle (Bainbridge) Surjik, her brother-in-law Clay Wheeler, and her sister-in-law Lois (Wheeler) Lefebre.

Many thanks to the palliative home care team, and nurses on 3A, as well as the staff and residents of the Regina Bentley, who were so kind and took such great care of her.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a small private service will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 11:00 am. To view the livestream of the service please click on the link to Speers TV at the top of Sonja’s Tribute page at www.speersfuneralchapel.com.  Please be aware that the link to the livestream will not be available until the day of the service. A larger family memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers you are welcome to donate to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Saskatchewan http://www.conservegrasslands.ca/ and note In Memory of Sonja Wheeler in the comment field.