Sonja R. Petersen, 64, of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Sonja was born Jan. 31, 1947, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Kay and Ruth Petersen. She spent most of her life in Albert Lea and was a member of the Albert Lea Central High Class of 1965.

Sonja loved baking and cooking; was an avid gardener and loved to play cards with her dear friends. One of her favorite things to do was telling jokes with her grandson.

She is survived by her two daughters: Kristin (Petersen) Saurborn of Westminster, Md., and Nicole Hansen of Austin; one grandson, Logan Saurborn of Westminster, Md.; her sister, Elizabeth Dahlen of Albert Lea; four nephews; one niece; and her beloved yorkie, Daisy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kay and Ruth Petersen of Albert Lea and her sister, Anita Salveson of Albert Lea.

Sonja spent the last several months courageously battling cancer and was gracefully relieved of her discomfort when she peacefully passed away in her sleep.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution is encouraged to be made payable to Naeve Health Care Foundation and mailed to Albert Lea Cancer Center, 404 W. Fountain Street, Albert Lea, MN 56007.

There will be no funeral service, as she donated her body to the Mayo Clinic of Rochester for medical studies.