Sondra Joan “Sonnie” Nelson

Sondra Joan “Sonnie” Nelson, 88, of St. Paul, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Liturgy of the Word services were held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. Reverend Vince Parsons officiated the service.

Recorded selections included “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art,” both by Elvis Presley.

Casket bearers included Todd McCord, Jeff Wissing, Danny Barg, Mike Lynch, Jessie Urbanski, and Chad Scheer.

Burial was in Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Sonnie was born March 11, 1937, the daughter of William “Buck” and Frieda “Blondie” (Muller) Lucht, on a farm southeast of St. Paul.

She attended District 15 Rural School before attending and graduating from St. Paul High School. Following graduation, she attended Joseph’s School of Cosmetology in Grand Island.

On June 7, 1958, Sonnie was united in marriage to James E. “Jim” Nelson at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul.

The couple lived in various communities around Nebraska while Jim worked in road construction. In the early 1960s, they returned to St. Paul, where they lived on an acreage south of town.

Once back in St. Paul, Sonnie worked as a beautician at Ziemba’s Barber Shop and Norma’s Beauty Salon. Along with fixing up everyone’s hair, Sonnie played a huge part in helping raise her grandchildren.

Some of Sonnie’s hobbies included casino and gambling trips, attending

The Phonograph-Herald | January 28, 2026

horse races, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing bingo, completing crossword puzzles, and she had a special love for Elvis Presley.

Sonnie is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Kim and Terry Kosmicki and Andrea and Russell Sutherland, both of St. Paul; grandchildren, Krystal and Danny Barg, Ashley and Mike Lynch, Clark and Tara Kosmicki, and Rilye and Tatum Sutherland; and eight great- grandchildren, J.T., Jordan, Kinzley, Carter, Morgan, Emily, Blake, Lacey, and Baby Sutherland, arriving soon. Sonnie is also survived by a half-brother, Billy Lucht; sistersin- law, Karen McCord of St. Paul and Beverly Dethlefs of Dannebrog; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Sonnie was preceded in death by her parents, William “Buck” and Frieda “Blondie” Lucht; her husband, James E. “Jim” Nelson, on November 1, 2010; sister-inlaw, Sandi Scheer; and brother-in-law, George Dethlefs.

Condolences and memories may be shared with Sonnie’s family at www.petersfuneralhome. net.