This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Evans, Moe, Swenumson Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/5070/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Sonja Stephanie Evans passed away December 21, 2010 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Survivors include her husband George Evans, two sons, David Evans and his wife Marilyn of Las Cruces, Bruce Evans and his wife Patty of Roswell, daughter Lori Van Note and her husband Zachary Van Note of Albuquerque, and 7 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Schurer Moe and Carroll (C.J.) Swenumson. Sonja was born December 20, 1924 in Niagara, Wisconsin and was the last surviving of three children born to Norwegian parents Oscar and Stephanie (Werner) Swenumson. She moved to Santa Barbara in 1943 to attend the University of California. She was a student of classical and operatic music. Sonja was a well-loved musician, singing in choruses and as a featured soloist at churches and concert halls in California, Arizona and New Mexico. She taught voice and private piano lessons to hundreds of students well into her seventies. Sonja moved to Coolidge, Arizona in the 1950's where she and her husband to be, George Evans, taught at the Children's Colony. They soon moved to Las Cruces to be closer to George's family. In the many years since, she was very active at her church, St. Andrews Episcopal. She was also an avid painter, selling many memorable landscapes of the Organ Mountains. In later years, she took up writing mystery and historical fiction. Her accounts of life in Wisconsin in the 1930's are published by the Niagara Area Historical Society. A memorial service will be celebrated at 11 AM, Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 518 North Alameda Blvd, Las Cruces, NM with Reverend Scott Ruthven officiating. Her ashes will be interred at the columbarium at St. Andrews. Memorial donations may be made to the Mesilla Valley Hospice. Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on December 26, 2010 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.