Sonja Cleone Powers

Sonja Cleone Powers, 77, passed peacefully into the tender embrace of our Lord on April 28, 2015. She was at her Wasilla, Alaska, home with family by her side. At her request, a Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla, on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at 11 a.m. Sonja was born on Jan. 18, 1938, in Portland, Ore. She was the only child of William and Nelly Dahlgren and was of Swedish descent. Years later, after making Alaska her permanent home, Oregon would continue to hold a special place in her heart as she would return each year for a summer visit. Sonja first came to Alaska in 1958, originally residing in the Fairbanks area with her five children. She eventually moved to Anchorage, Alaska, with her children and resided there during the 1964 earthquake. In 1966, she met and married William Powers and they settled in Talkeetna, Alaska, and had three more children. Sonja was a devoted homemaker and housewife. In addition to raising her children, she worked part-time at Talkeetna Elementary and was an active member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Sonja and Bill resided in Talkeetna for more than 38 years and in 2004, they moved to Wasilla to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Sonja enjoyed knitting and was a talented seamstress, spending countless hours making many fine creations. She loved to read, particularly faith-based and devotionals. One of her favorite authors was Max Lucado. She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Highlights in Sonja's life included a Minnesota road trip with her husband and granddaughter, Lexie (2001); weddings of granddaughters, Miranda (2011) and Ashley (2014); and the births of her great-grandchildren, Everett, Laela, Addison and Fischer. Sonja held her life-long friendships and her church family in high regard. But she was particularly proud of her children. She greatly enjoyed that six of her eight children lived in Alaska, and she was able to make yearly trips to Oregon, to visit her two sons who reside there. Sonja enjoyed traveling and meeting new people, but spending time with her family was what gave her the greatest joy. She also loved her little dog, Rosie, who faithfully stayed by her side during her brief illness. In her final days, Sonja displayed the greatest measure of grace and courage. She was at peace and had a relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Sonja is survived by her husband of 49 years, William Powers; also survived by her eight children, 22 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren as follows: Carey Henry and wife, Linda and their four children and 10 grandchildren; William Henry and wife, Sandra and their children, Ethan, Kristine, Emily Cleone and William Henry; Christopher Henry and wife, Allison and their children, Zach and wife, Julie, and Corissa Henry; Craig Henry and wife, Amber and their children, Miranda and husband, Travis, Clark, Brooke-Lyn and Coryl Henry and great-grandsons, Everett James Clark and Fischer Reed Carter; Rebecka Martin and husband, John and their children, Ashley Dunn and husband, Justin, Taylor, Jillian and Jaime Martin and great-granddaughters, Laela Rae Dunn and Addison Leigh Dunn; Doug Powers and wife, Mary; Leah Palmer and husband, Joe and their children, Lexie, Skyler and Dylan Palmer; and Joseph Powers and his children, Rick and Maleea Ueltzen. Sonja was preceded in death by her parents, William and Nelly Dahlgren; and son, Kevin Henry. Sonja's ashes will be interred with her son, Kevin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sonja's name to a charity of the donor's choice.