We Remember
AMUNDSON, Sonja Tryphena
January 17, 1934 — November 28, 2022
Sonja Tryphena Amundson passed away peacefully with family by her side on November 28, 2022, at the Kelowna General Hospital. She will be greatly missed by her nieces, nephew, many cousins, and countless friends and coworkers.
Sonja was born on January 17, 1934, in Eaglesham, Alberta. Her parents, Anton “Tony” & Tilda Amundson, were some of the early pioneers in the Eaglesham area. She spent her early years on her parents’ homestead, where she attended the Fox Creek two-room log country school. High school was more complicated to achieve, but once completed, she enrolled in the Royal Jubilee School of Nursing in Victoria, BC, earning her degree in nursing.
Her lifelong career as a nurse took her to Nigeria with the Sudan Interior Mission, where she travelled by motorbike to remote villages that had no medical care at all. Having learned the Housa language, she set up medical clinics, teaching basic hygiene, delivering babies for mothers with birthing complications, training local midwives and caregivers, and performing minor surgeries. As a missionary, she also shared the love of God by showing love and compassion to all.
When Sonja left Nigeria and returned to Canada, her work there was carried on by those she had trained. She continued her nursing career at hospitals in Pouce Coupe, High Prairie, Calgary, and finally in Kelowna where she worked at the Kelowna General Hospital until retirement.
Sonja’s life was characterized by her genuine faith in Almighty God, her love and concern for others, and her amazing courage, determination, fearlessness, and strength. She also was gifted with a good sense of humour and would laugh easily, with tears running down her face. She never took herself very seriously, which endeared her to so many.
Later, sometime in the summer 2023, a gathering of family and friends will be held to celebrate her life and remember the priceless legacy she left us all.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
I enjoyed working with Sonja at KGH. Especially her common sense and humour. She was an excellent nurse and someone I admired.
Aunt Sonja was one of my mom’s best two or three friends in Nigeria. She was my godmother and saved my life in Africa as a four year old. She sure loved people and Jesus.