IN MEMORIAM

Sonja Marie Ozbun

Spouse of PDG Jim Ozbun (District Governor 2007-08, 2014-15)

January 13, 1938 — September 15, 2024

Funeral service for Sonja Marie Ozbun, 86, of Dickinson, North Dakota will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 21, 2024 at St. John Lutheran Church, Dickinson, ND with Pastor Lisa Lewton officiating. Burial will follow in the Fair Fill Cemetery, Flasher ND.

Sonja’s family will be present to receive friends from 4:00–6:00 p.m., Friday, September 20th at Stevenson Funeral Home.

Sonja passed away September 15, 2024 at St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson.

Sonja Marie Smedstad was born January 13, 1938 in Starbuck, MN to Odell and Blanche (Heggestad) Smedstad. She attended school in Starbuck graduating from Starbuck High School in 1956. She then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Sonja and Jim Ozbun were united in marriage on May 30, 1959. Jim’s career in higher education took them to many interesting places over the years which included Raleigh NC, Ithaca NY, St. Paul MN, Manhattan KS, Pullman WA and Fargo ND. Sonja was a tremendous supporting partner for Jim as he served at various schools and she was his right hand lady while he was earning his Degrees. In 1995, the couple retired to a small ranch in western North Dakota and raised registered Hereford cattle and registered Quarter horses. Sonja was very active in her community and her church. She volunteered at the Used Book Store in Dickinson and served on the Board of Trustees for Lutheran Social Services in ND and the Meritcare Children’s Hospital Advisory Board. She was a member of several study clubs, book clubs, P.E.O. and committees at St. John Lutheran Church. Her favorite pastimes include reading and gardening. Sonja enjoyed sending cards and especially making time for family and friends. She loved hosting company at her home and she selflessly helped with her grandchildren. Being Grandma was a Joy. She was well-known for her cooking and her award winning Dakota Bread! Her kind and thoughtful spirit will be dearly missed. 

Sonja is survived by her husband, Jim, Dickinson, ND; son, Terry (Patty) Ozbun; daughter, Karen (Phillip) Farrington; grandchildren, Hannah Ozbun, Seth, Caleb, and Joshua Farrington, Rose Ewing, and Samantha Webb; great-grandchildren, Judah, Brista, Theo, Piper, Iris and Hazel Webb, Remy and Emery Farrington, Winston and Margaret Farrington; sister, Mary Hanson; brother, Michael (Jo) Smedstad; numerous nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by both parents, and her sister Janet Bjorge.

Sonja suggests memorial contributions be made to the DSU Heritage Foundation.

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