Slabach, Sonya Ilene

Sonya Ilene Slabach passed away Friday, July 22, 2011, at her home in Kalona, with her family by her side. She was 71 years old. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, at the Kalona Mennonite Church. The Rev. Don Patterson will officiate. Burial will be in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Kalona. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona.

Sonya was born Nov. 15, 1939, in Jasper County, near Alba, Mo., the daughter of Marvin and Goldie (Jantz) Buerge. She graduated from Garden City High School and Hesston College. On May 14, 1963, she was united in marriage to Herman Slabach in Garden City, Mo. They moved to Kalona in the fall of 1963. Sonya worked as a registered nurse at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mercy Hospital and Pleasantview Home.

She was a member of Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church, where she taught Sunday school of all ages and was involved with prison ministries. She enjoyed reading, helping people and she loved her family.

Sonya is survived by her husband, Herman of Kalona; a son, Lance Slabach and wife Nichole of Iowa City; a daughter, Leslie Weber and husband Conrad of Atmore, Ala.; six grandchildren, Roman, Monet and Bronze Slabach; David, Jace and Abby Weber; her father, Marvin “Eugene” Buerge and wife Beulah of Garden City, Mo.; and a brother, Scott Buerge and wife Charlotte of Nevada, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her mother.

A memorial fund has been established for Atmore Christian School and Hillside Christian School.

Messages may be sent to the family at