Sonja Jensine Heaton passed peacefully from this life to “New Life In Christ” – June 24, 2024 while in her home in Eureka at age 90 – in the loving care of her family – who Honored her with the title befitting her beauty and her grace: “Queen of the Norwegians”… A Red Headed Twin from Ana-Sira Norway  who immigrated to the USA at age 19 and taught us ALL the value of hard work, laughing when crying would be easier, and never giving up - no matter the obstacles - and there were many! The BEST Norwegian pancake maker, with a beautiful voice, a great dancer too and a heart for the downtrodden whose home never knew a stranger - always feeling welcome!

In her younger days, Sonja was fast on her feet, quick with her hands as well as her wit – finding humor in the ordinary and taking pride in every task - from Waitressing to Elder Care to Retail to Supervisor of West Coast Foods and last stop as Expert Saw Filer and Welder for Schmidt Bower Lumber (the Only Female in an All Male industry – unheard of in that day – yet successfully so) and All in efforts to provide for her family as a Single Mother of Five.  With a great support system of family and friends, Mamma Sonja, as she was also fondly called, would strive to always OVERCOME and be that listening ear for her family and Others … to do the same! 

A GREAT cook, who loved Bette Davis movies, the Opera of Mario Lanza and Gospel Inspiration of Mahalia Jackson (and, YES, her talented musical family as well!), MOM was also very competitive – in cheering on Team Norway for the Winter Olympics to her favorite NFL Vikings and Raiders - to picking shrimp – faster than the eye could see - to Harley Motorcycle Riding at Age 80 – and this just for starters! Mother was also a Life Long Member of the Sons of Norway (Lodge No. 13).  Her love of Norway never left her, but her home in Humboldt County for 52 years - would be her mainstay AND final landing!  

HER LIFE and LEGACY are her CHILDREN

JESUS is her SAVIOR

And WE as a FAMILY

Are ETERNALLY Grateful! (John 3:16)

THANK you MOM … for giving us the GIFT of LIFE

And then “GIVING us to JESUS” the ONE you KNEW would never Leave, Fail or Forsake us!

God PROVED that HE was and is FAITHFUL … And on that WE ALL agree!!

(Jeremiah 29:11)

With Honor, Gratitude and In Loving Memory,

Your Children,

Jensine Linda Bard, Daniel Lee Hawk, Cynthia Marie Christiansen, Austin Allan Backus and Lisa Renee Backus  

SONJA is PRECEDED IN DEATH by her Parents: Einar and Jenny Daastol;  Brother:  Erling  Daastol, Twin Sister: Judith Egeland and her Daughters: Laila Ottersen  and Aina Egeland; Brother-In-Law:  Sivert Log  and Nephew, Tollak Log – All of Blessed Memory.  SONJA is SURVIVED by her Five (5) Children and their Spouses: Jensine (and Daniel) Bard; Daniel (and Renee-Rosenberg) Hawk; Cynthia (and Gary) Christiansen; Austin (and Belinda) Backus; Lisa Backus; Four (4) Grandchildren: Gabriel (and Sam Hinton) Hawk; Nathan Hawk; Zachary (and Roxie) Christiansen; Benjamin (and Sonja) Christiansen;  Four (4) Great Grandchildren: Cameron (and Sarah) Christiansen; Cody Christiansen; Benjamin Christiansen (Son of  Benjamin and Sonja) and Sonja Hawk (Daughter of Gabriel Hawk and Sam Hinton). Beloved Sister:  Olga Log and Nephew, Alvin Log; Beloved Sister-In-Law: Colleen Daastol – Her Children and their Spouses: Philip (and Linda) Daastol;  Karen (and Steve) Nichols; Jana (and Dennis) Brown and numerous Nieces and Nephews  both in the U.S. and in Norway (Diana Ottersen and Family; Cathrin Ottersen and Family; Madelen Ottersen and Family; Einar (and Inger Johanne) Egeland and Family; Lena Egeland Hogstad and Family; Jannicke Egeland and Family) and gratefully so!

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Sonja’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.