Fillmore County Journal

"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"

Sonja Lee Venant

by

Sonja Tenant obituary, Fillmore County Journal

Sonja Lee Venant, mother, grandmother, sister passed away at the age of 78 on March 7, 2024.

Sonja was the eldest daughter of Eunice and Gerald Flaby. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Lanesboro High School Class of 1964, and later that year was crowned Fillmore County Dairy Princess. She married Merlin Ardell Thoen in 1965, and together had two children – a son, Greg and daughter, Heather. They later divorced and Sonja built a life in Arizona starting her own beauty salon. Many years later she returned to her hometown with chef husband Jean Claude and opened The Victorian House French Restaurant. This fine dining establishment was well known throughout the state and hosted many happy occasions for our family and many other families in the region.

Sonja was a horse enthusiast, dog lover, and world traveler. She recently was able to check off her bucket list a trip to Egypt to ride the camels and see The Great Pyramids. Her zest for life, huge heart and infectious personality will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Sonja is survived by her beloved siblings Debbie (Steve) Rein, Carle (Ron) Stevens, Doug (Cherie) Flaby, and Gerald Flaby Jr.; her children Greg (Mary) Thoen and Heather (Adam) Rutzick, her grandchildren Sophia, Gracie, James and Nicholas Thoen; Sarah, Jake and Benny Rutzick; Ian (Mandi) and Janie (Ben) Carleton, and great-grandchildren Emma and Hazen Carleton.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 at 1 p.m. at the Sons of Norway in Lanesboro.

Comments

  1. Thank you for choosing and loving my dad Jean Venant the way he needed for 25 years. You were the only one that could. May you both continue to celebrate drinking, cooking and bickering eternally in the after life. Love forever his surviving daughter

  2. Sonja was a wonderful classmate and friend. She attended our 50th reunion (class of ’64) and was so fun to relive old times. May she rest in peace.

  3. When we had our 50th reunion, Sonja was there with her beautiful smile and great sense of humor. I still see her laughing and talking with us, when most everyone had gone home. Now she is home…rest in peace my friend.

  4. When we had our 50th reunion, Sonja was there with her beautiful smile and great sense of humor. I still see her laughing and talking with us, when most everyone had gone home. Now she is home…rest in peace my friend.

  6. Sonja is an Extraordinary Charming Christian Lady Whose Love Brings Joy at Every Memory of her. Her Gift of Hospitality made Everyone Feel ‘At Home’ at her Table! A True Proverbs 31:all Lady! She invites Each of You to Come Soon and Dine with her in Heaven.

  7. Sonja was the sparkle of our card group. There never was a dull moment with her. Lots of laughter and giggles with a little card playing too. I miss her already. She brought joy to my days. What a gal. Hugs to all that knew her and loved her.

  8. Sonja, you Wii be missed by many because you were wonderful classmate and friend!
    As a person, you were very kind loving to all God bless the memories of you 💖💖

    • I had the privilege of getting to know Sonnja through her son Greg. What a lovely person. Her personality was infectious. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

  9. I will miss my wonderful friend. She made the world a better place for all the people she new. Rest in love from the entire class of 1964. Your loving friend, Vernon