Durham, NC – Sonya Leigh Wilhelmson, 64, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Born in Rockford, IL, Sonya was the daughter of Arleigh and Barbara (Myers) Swanson. She grew up on the Blanchardville, WI family farmstead alongside her three siblings: Mark Swanson, Vicki Hoesly (Swanson), and Ned Swanson. Her childhood was filled with cherished memories of farm life in the Blanchardville, WI area, including stories of Friday nights at the A&W root beer stand, swimming at the pool, and camping trips up North, as well as her beloved pigs.
On December 23, 1977, Sonya married Timothy Wilhelmson from New Glarus, WI. They welcomed their only child, Tara Wilhelmson, soon after. Together, they built their first home in Argyle, WI, with guidance from Sonya’s father Arleigh Sr. Sonya’s passion for nature and the outdoors led her to create a beautiful landscaping and gardening oasis. Many weekends and vacations were spent fishing and camping in the Birchwood, WI area and the Boundary Waters near Ely, MN with family and friends. The family later moved to Castle Rock, WI, enjoying the lake atmosphere and frequent family visits, before settling in Durham, NC, to be close to their grandchild.
Sonya was known for her sharp mind, unwavering dedication, and strong work ethic. She began her career at Swiss Colony in Monroe, Wisconsin, where her exceptional skills in calculations and assessments quickly led to a promotion to Assistant Manager and her spot on calculations and assessments earned her a place reporting to the top management. Sonya's career continued to flourish at UW-Madison and Duke University, where she collaborated with world-renowned colleagues. She held various roles at the University of Wisconsin, including Assistant Editor for the Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professionals. In 2023, Sonya retired from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Pat Baumgartner, Dr. Curtis Olson, Ph.D., Dr. George Mejicano, MD, and Dr. Wesley M. Cohen, Ph.D., as well as many others who provided Sonya with invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout her career.
Sonya was also a passionate advocate for animal welfare, volunteering extensively with Pitbull Rescues in the Durham area. Her love for animals led her to adopt four furry companions: Mopar, Marci, Luna, and Murdock.
Sonya's life was a testament to her unwavering pursuit of harmony and balance. She had a unique ability to spread joy and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere wherever she went. Her delicious home cooking, infectious laughter, and kind heart made her a beloved wife, mother, sister, and colleague.
Sonya is survived by her husband of nearly 48 years, Tim Wilhelmson; their daughter, Tara Wilhelmson (Larry) Saffold; grandson, Lux Saffold; her mother, Barbara (Myers) Swanson; siblings, Mark (Marie) Swanson of Cape Cod, MA, Vicki Hoesly of Lancaster, WI, and Ned Swanson; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Arleigh Swanson.
The family extends their thanks to everyone who reached out and prayed for them during this difficult time. A “Celebration of Life” will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family asks that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers and remember the cherished moments you shared with Sonya.
