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Sonja Ismen Sears passed away Sunday, August 27th, 2023, at the home of her beloved daughter, Liana Sears.
A Celebration of Life will be Thursday, September 7th, at 6pm in the Tompkins Celebration Center at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. A champagne reception will follow.
Survivors include her son Steven M. Sears, daughter Liana J. Sears, granddaughter Angela Mickelson (Jason), grandson Christopher M. Glaser, and great granddaughter Eily Jaye Mickelson.
Sonja I. Bellocchi was born and educated in Florence, Italy. She was one of six sisters in a family where music and fine arts prevailed. She married Paul Sears in Florence, Italy, on December 23rd, 1946. After Paul's honorable discharge from the US Army, the couple came to the United States and made their home in Des Moines, where Sonja worked as a secretary for Dr. Mary Golden, while Paul studied at Drake University. Two years later they moved to Chicago, where her husband studied at Northwest University College of Optometry. At that time, Sonja worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. The couple later moved back to Iowa and chose to settle in Fort Dodge, where they raised their three children.
Sonja was active in the Auxiliary to the Optometric Association, a longtime member of the Federation for Vision Awareness, and P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter G.V and a member of the Fort Dodge Art Club. Sonja was also a past member of Twin Lakes Sailing Association, and she loved to sail with Paul. Sonja enjoyed traveling with family and took 39 trips back to Italy. She especially loved the trips she made to Italy with her family. Sonja has always made many friends, including friends at the YMCA, now the Fort Dodge REC Center.
Sonja's husband, Dr. Paul Sears, preceded her in death in November of 2002. Her daughter, Dr. Laurie Sears Love, preceded her in death in May of 2015. She is also preceded in death by all five of her sisters in Italy. (End of obituary written by Sonja)
Sonja chose to spend her life always putting her children first, creating beautiful paintings, knitting, sewing clothes for her children, and making latch hook rugs that were literally works of art. She loved classical music and the fine arts. Sonja was a walking encyclopedia when it came to the Masters of the Renaissance. Sonja was the epitome of class and carried herself with grace and elegance. She was adored by her family and will be greatly missed.