In loving memory
Loisann Sonneson (nee Hoirup)
Nov. 14, 1938 - Oct. 30, 2013
Loisann Sonneson (nee Hoirup) of Clearwater passed away with her family by her side on October 30, 2013 at the age of 74 in Clearwater BC. She is survived by her husband Leonard Sonneson of Clearwater, BC; her son Paul (fiancé Annette, and Carol, mother Eric & Mitchell) of Heffley Creek, BC; her daughter Carole (Neil McRae) of Vavenby; her grandchildren Eric (Nicole) of Kamloops BC; Mitchell (Amanda)of Edmonton AB; Cadence (Joseph Moilliet) & Nelson McRae of Vavenby BC; and great grandchild Spencer Sonneson (Eric & Nicole). She is also being mourned by her brothers Jack (Georgia) Hoirup of Las Vegas NV; Peter (Sammy) Hoirup of Bonnie Lake WA; and Keith Hoirup of Tacoma WA. She also leaves behind much family and many loved ones in Canada and the United States. Loisann was predeceased by her father Jacob Hoirup & mother Lois Hoirup (nee McGilvrey), her brother Paul, and infant son.
Loisann (Mom) was born in Tacoma Washington on November 14, 1938 to Jacob and Lois Hoirup. She grew up with her four brothers in Washington. She graduated from White River High School in Buckley Washington in 1956 and soon after married Leonard Duane Sonneson, her husband of now 57 years, on October 20, 1956 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Enumclaw, Washington. After marrying Leonard they lived in Washington, having son Paul in 1960 and daughter Carole in 1963. The family came to Canada in 1968, settled briefly in McBride BC, and then returned to Washington. In 1974 they came back to Canada a final time and made their home in Vavenby BC. With her parents Jacob and Lois -- the namesakes of the road they lived on -- living nearby, they all lived in Vavenby for many years. They became permanent and important parts of the community. Loisann and Leonard owned part of the Clearwater Times and worked there together. She had also worked for Weyerhaeuser Mill Vavenby Division, as the Accounts Payable Clerk for several years. She later worked in the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital as the main secretary for many years until retiring in 1994. Throughout her life she also worked for Sears-Roebuck, the Credit Union, Health and Social Services in Washington, among many others. After retiring, she and Len traveled together; they especially loved to go by cruise ship. They also became Snow Birds, traveling to the southern United States, especially to Arizona and Mexico almost yearly.
Loisann was a part of many community groups such as the Hospital Auxiliary, The Lois Club, and The Red Hat Society, town choir, and the Clearwater Christian Church. Loisann and Leonard were immensely proud when they became Canadian citizens on June 3, 2008, after 34 years of living in the country.
Mom has blessed the community with her beautiful singing voice as part of the community choir and singing a cappella at select gatherings, a few times as her Vaudeville persona, “Diamond Lil”. Loisann is renowned for her beautiful Bavarian folk art painting, which she has painted on many treasured pieces built by Leonard. They built, decorated and donated for auction to charity many solid wood trunks, bird houses and large wooden dollhouses. They both also created these things for all their family, with a wooden trunk personalized for each child and grandchild and their spouses. She decorated a special last trunk for her first great grand baby shortly before her passing. Mom is also known for her stained glass art which decorated her home and family cabin with her special decorating touch given to the outhouse in particular. She loved her children and family above all else, and showed it in every way. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
A service will be held for Loisann on Saturday November 9th, 2013 at 11am in Clearwater BC, at the Community Baptist Church. It may be seen online at www.NorthThompsonFuneral.com. In lieu of flowers we ask you to make a donation to the local food bank, as Loisann always loved to contribute to this cause. If you would like to reach the family, please mail: Leonard Sonneson c/o North Thompson Funeral Home, 73 Taren Dr. Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2