10/16/1938 ~ 10/16/2000 <! >
Beloved wife, loving mother and grandmother passed away Monday, October 16, 2000 at Davis Hospital in Layton, Utah after a long struggle with metastatic breast cancer.
Sonja enjoyed her life and served as an inspiration to all whom encountered her with her never failing optimism and far reaching love. Always placing others first. She was the "champion of the underdog."
She received her BS Degree and teach-ing certificate from BYU in Secondary Education, after which she was qualified as a Library Media Science graduate. Her minor was in History.
Shortly thereafter she was married to Dwight LaMar Kelsey, August 18, 1960 in the Salt Lake Temple. She began her career at Davis School District. Her most recent position being that of Media Specialist at North Davis Junior High.
Sonja also was the leader of the "community clean up" project wherein she coordinated and supervised the efforts to assist North Davis Junior High in clearing overgrown plants and debris from the school.
She was instrumental in the initialization of the Channel One project and was a staunch supporter of student's rights to a complete and unbiased education. Many students, teachers, and parents alike have been inspired in someway by Sonja and as such, they inspired her. She was a born leader with the ability to make others feel equal.
In 1994, Sonja was awarded the "Educator of the Year for Davis County School District". She was presented this award at the state Capital.
In addition to her busy family life and career, Sonja accepted a teaching position with the University Women's Leadership Organization. Next to her husband and family, teaching was her first love and she always accepted the challenge.
She held several different positions within her church and served as a great example for all. She possessed a myriad of talents including singing, playing the piano and dancing.
Sonja is survived by her husband, Dwight L. Kelsey and their seven children, Karen (J.B.) Richards; daughters, Kelsey and Kate, Ogden; Camile (Eric) Woodstrom, sons, Kyle and Jens, daughters, Anne and Jessica, Redding, CA; Michelle (Kevin) Plummer, son, Kristian, daughter, Kathryn, Aliso Viejo, CA; John (Barbara) Kelsey, daughters, Eden and Vesna, sons, Dane and Luke, West Point; Cathy (Greg) Washburn, daughter, Ashley, son Ethan, Clearfield; Kimberly (David) Lincoln, son, Nathaniel, Clearfield; and Kenny Kelsey, Clearfield. Also surviving are Marie Grunder Benson, mother, Kristina Benson, sister, nephews, Andrew and Drue, niece, Leslie, Boise, ID.
Sonja was preceded in death by her brother, Kirke Marvin Benson and within hours of her passing, Sonja's father, Marvin Mathias Benson also passed away.
Sonja and her family wish to thank Dr. Saundra Buys of the Huntsman Cancer Research Center together with her staff and volunteers for their never-ending compassion, concern and care.
Grandma Sunny, thank you for the beautiful sunset!
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 21, 2000 at the Clearfield 5th Ward, located at 833 East 600 South, Clearfield. Friends and family may call on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd and Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist Memorial Park at Layton.
Sonja has requested any donations you may wish to make be sent directly to Huntsman Cancer Research Center, c/o Dr. Saundra Buys, 2000 Circle of Hope Suite 2100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. These funds will be applied directly to cancer research.