SONJA ANN PAINTER

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Sonja Ann Painter, 61, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the University of Iowa.

Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Church of Christ. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, in care of Tim Painter. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

Sonja was born on November 14, 1963, in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Paul and Charlotte Easterlund Mars. She married Tim Painter on August 16, 1997, in Pilger, Nebraska.

Sonja received her doctorate degree in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

Sonja loved cooking, gardening, and being outdoors. She loved riding on the back of the motorcycle with her husband and playing with her dog, Lexi.

Sonja is survived by her husband, Tim; mother, Charlotte; brother, Steve (Christine) Mars; niece, Rachel Mars; stepchildren, Shelly Cunningham and Melissa Martinez; step grandchildren, Aaron and Cassie; many aunts and uncles; and nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father and grandparents.