Sonya was born Sonya June Lee on August 19, 1940, in Syracuse, New York. She graduated from Onondaga Valley High School in 1958 and attended secretarial school.

She married Martin Jurgensen in 1962, the father of her three children. Though later divorced, they remained lifelong friends.

She married her beloved husband of 26 years, John Yaniskivis, in 1985. They enjoyed many happy years traveling, entertaining family and friends at their Ripley home and playing at the Ojibwe Casino. Sonya never met a Sizzling Seven’s she didn’t like.

Sonya worked as an Executive Secretary for Operation Action U.P. and at Michigan Tech and in later years, as a home health aide.

She worked hard for her family. Her family was always her priority. She was a strong, talented, intelligent and loving woman in every way. Sonya lit up any room she entered and was the life of the party.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; son, Eric Jurgensen; and step-son, Francis Yaniskivis.

She is survived by her son, Garth Jurgensen; daughter, Laura Jurgensen; grandson, Leif Jurgensen; granddaughters, Macy Lee and Brooke Jurgensen; sister, Sandra Longaker; step-grandchildren; and step-daughters, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for Sonya will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, Section 16, in Houghton on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Scott Lindenberg officiating.

The family would like to thank Dr. Douglas McKenzie, who treated their mother for several years. They also appreciate the nurses and aides who cared for Sonya while a resident at Cypress Manor, now Lighthouse at Hancock.

Our mother will forever live on in our hearts and memories. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Copper Country Humane Society, P.O. Box 453, Houghton, 49931, in Sonya’s name.

The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting with the arrangements.

To leave online condolences, please go tooneilldennisfu.com.