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March 29, 1934 – Medicine Hat, Alberta

August 16, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Sonja was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta and lived on a small homestead farm near Seven Persons. She road a horse or skied to a one room school and eventually she moved to Medicine Hat for High School. In 1952 she became a bank teller for the Dominion Bank and in 1954 was promoted to assistant supervisor of Branch Operations.

In 1953 she met and started dating Henry Rieder. They were married on June 18, 1955, in Medicine Hat.  With Henry’s work in the oil field, they moved over 20 times from trailer court to trailer court with the seismic crew all over BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  Eventually after raising 3 kids in a trailer, they bought a house and settled in Calgary in 1963. 

After getting married she worked in the bank until her first child was born. After her 4th child was born in 1970, Sonja began working part time with the Bank of Nova Scotia and then later with the Royal Bank. In 1976 she worked full time with the Royal Bank in various capacities until she retired in 1994.

Sonja was supportive to her children in so many rich ways in sewing outfits for them, driving them to music lessons or girl guides or scouts.  She was a prolific baker with Norwegian sweets being her specialty.  She was a caring mother to all her children offering a shoulder to cry on no matter what age her children were.  

Sonja was a square dancer for many years with her husband and a dedicated volunteer with the Lutheran Church. They enjoyed camping with their recreational trailer in the mountains as well all-over North America.  They did traveling in Europe where they rekindled relationships with family in Germany and Norway.  She was active with the Norwegian community in Calgary and made beautiful Hardanger (Norwegian needle point) in which she gifted her children and many grandchildren with these works of art.

Henry and Sonja owned several properties in Calgary and her latest residence was the Manor Village in Varsity until she suffered a broken femur at the hip from a fall.

Sonja is predeceased by her devoted husband Henry Rieder, her beloved sister Betty Brodin and cherished son in-law Larry Leaman.  She is survived by her children: Karen Leaman, Barry Rieder (Marva Martin), Darlene McLeod and Brenda Jaeger (Klaus);  nine grandchildren: Todd Leaman (Laura), Brooke Leaman, Scott Mcleod, John Mcleod  (Devon), Olivia Martin-Rieder, Linda Jaeger, Justus Jaeger, Sandra Jaeger, and Kamilla Jaeger, and great grandchild Hannah Leaman.

Funeral Services will be held at Hope Lutheran Church (3527 Boulton Road N.W) on Thursday, September 1st at 2:00 pm. Those who would like to view the service can do so on the Hope Lutheran Church YYC - YouTube. Condolences can be forwarded to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family wishes to thank all medical staff for the excellent care they provided in her final days as well as all the support from extended family and friends in her twilight hours. Memorial contributions may be made to Dulcina Hospice, or the charity of choice.

In living memory of Sonja Rieder, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.