Sonja S. Strecker, 71, died Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, Wichita.
She was born April 10, 1950, in Dodge City, the daughter of Robert and Blanche (Simmons) Sanko. She graduated from Spearville High School and then later in life returned to college and achieved her RN Nursing Degree from Dodge City Community College in 1991. She was a lifetime Spearville resident and started her career as a Registered Nurse at the Spearville Hospital until it closed at which time she became the Director of Nursing at Hodgeman County Longterm Care in Jetmore for 10 years. She then worked for Hospice of the Prairie in Dodge City until her retirement. On June 29, 1968, she married Norbert Strecker at St. John the Baptist Church in Spearville and then proudly worked along side him taking care of the farm, while raising their 4 daughters.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church where she sang in the Christmas Choir. She was also a member of the St. Mary’s Heritage Foundation. She enjoyed ceramics and enjoyed spending time with family, especially camping and vacationing with them.
Survivors include: her husband of 53 years, Norbert; their 4 daughters, Stacey Nuss and husband Jarvis, Jetmore, Paula Schneweis and husband Alan, Dodge City, Pamela Strecker and husband Joe Davis, Bucklin and Nikki Cossman and husband Michael, Jetmore; 2 brothers, Don Sanko and wife Linda, Cedar Bluff, Mark Sanko and wife Patty, Spearville; sister, Conny Heiland and husband Tom, Jamestown, Missouri; 21 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, Dianna Kay Sanko, a son-in-law, Rock Strecker and a granddaughter-in-law, Taylor Stein.
Vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Sunday, January 16, 2022, at St. John the Baptist Church, Spearville. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Monday, January 17, 2022, at the church with Fr. John Forkuoh presiding. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Spearville. There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.
The family suggests memorials to Hospice of the Prairie or St. Mary’s Heritage Foundation both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.