Sonya M. Vandell

Celebration of Life Services for Sonya M. Vandell will be held on Friday, September 6, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska with Pastor Daren Popple officiating.  Interment will be held at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege, Nebraska following the services with Pastor Darrel Wissmann officiating the graveside services.

Sonya Marie Vandell, 48 years of age, of Overland Park, Kansas (formerly of Holdrege) passed away on Friday, August 30, 2019 at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.  Sonya was born May 1, 1971 at Kearney, Nebraska, the youngest of three daughters born to Verne William "Bill" Vandell and Kathryn Marie "Kathy" (Yelken) Vandell.  She was baptized and confirmed at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, where she remained a member her entire life.  Sonya received her education from Wilcox Public School in Wilcox, Nebraska, where she graduated from Wilcox High School with the class of 1989.  During her high school years, she enjoyed band and chorus.  Sonya then pursued higher education at the Spencer School of Business in Grand Island, Nebraska, where she received her Associates Degree in Accounting.

Following her education, she was employed by Eakes Office Supply in Holdrege, until moving to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1992, where she advanced to the position of Assistant Manager at Catherine's.  In 2005, Sonya relocated to the Kansas City area, where she served as the Business Office Manager for Primerica, a financial services company in Overland Park, Kansas.

Sonya always had a special place in her heart for children, and loved to babysit when she was younger.  She was an avid Kansas City Royals baseball and Husker football fan.  Throughout the years, Sonya also loved and cared for many cats and dogs.  Sonya loved to do crafts, including her special Christmas Angels she made and gifted to her family and friends.  She also loved to travel, and two of her favorite places to visit were the Black Hills of South Dakota, and South Padre Island, Texas.

Not having any children of her own, her nieces and nephews were the joy and light of her life!  She was an amazing, thoughtful and caring person.  Her laughter at family functions, or while hanging out with her friends, will always be remembered.

Besides her parents and grandparents; Sonya was preceded in death by her aunt and uncle:  Alice Ann and Jack Taylor; and a cousin, John Taylor.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her two sisters: Beth Schneider and her husband, Brad of Holdrege; and Debbie Ohnoutka and her husband, Jeff of Columbus, Nebraska; seven nieces and nephews: Heidi Meysenburg and her husband, Mark; Katie Olsen and her husband, Tate; Brady Schneider and his special friend, Erin Porter; and Ryan, Kristen, Megan and Lindsay Ohnoutka; her uncle and aunt:  Bob and Phyllis Vandell of Funk; in addition to her cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.  Sonya is also survived by her beloved pets:  Tucker, and Zoey.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Sonya's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for a later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.