Sonya Rae Monahan Pettersen was born on July 6, 1972 in Red Wing, Minnesota the daughter of Steve and Nettie (Langie) Monahan. She grew up near Ellsworth, Wisconsin and attended Prescott High School graduating in 1990. Sonya attended college in Winona, Minnesota to begin her education and finished in River Falls, Wisconsin where she earned her teaching degree. In 1997 she was united in marriage to Matt Pettersen at St. Mary's Catholic in rural River Falls. After their marriage they lived in Park Falls before moving to Amery where they have raised their two daughters. She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Amery. Sonya's family was important to her and she was always active in whatever activities her children were in. When time allowed she enjoyed traveling and she loved spending time at the cabin. Sonya liked shopping outings; they became an event when she was there. She was working as an elementary school teacher in St. Paul when she was diagnosed with ALS. She courageously battled that disease for over four years, refusing to let it stop her from living. Sonya died at the Amery Regional Medical Center on Sunday, June 16, 2013 at the age of 40 years.
Surviving family members include her parents: Steve & Nettie Monahan; brothers: Garrett (Gretchen) Monahan and Trent (Jesse) Monahan; husband Matt Pettersen and their daughters Olivia and Emily. She also leaves other relatives and many friends.


Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Friday, June 21, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church Big River in rural River Falls. There will be a visitation at the Hill Funeral Home in Prescott, Wisconsin on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and for the hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

There will also be a Memorial Service held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Amery on Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.