Sondra H. (Olson) Northrop

Sondra H. Northrop, age 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton.  She was born on June 21, 1939, at home in Solders Grove, Wisconsin, the daughter of Howard G and Stella (Burkum) Olson. 

Sondra was a Norwegian through and through, advocating for women’s rights early in her very own family of three brothers and one sister. She grew up on a farm and had so many great stories. She attended Gays Mills high school and was homecoming queen her junior year, while in school she enjoyed art, she still has the wonderful drawings on a sketchpad from high school.

Sondra met Glen Northrop at the Idle Hour. They were married April 11th, 1964, and celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this year. Sondra was a member of the USO from 1962 until she married. She always loved to dance. She and her husband, Glen, would always hit the dance floor at weddings and other special events. 

Sondra stayed home to raise their three children. Once the children were in school, she volunteered at the elementary school library. She also provided childcare for multiple children in the neighborhood over the years between working as a secretary at various offices. She treated those children as her own and became close friend with their parents.

Sondra always made the best strawberry freezer jam and shared with family and friends.  Her homemade frosted sugar cookies were THE best. She had a yearly tradition of making lefse for the holidays with her sister, Linda. She loved to go for coffee and breakfast with friends and spent many hours visiting and drinking many pots of coffee.

Sondra loved bingo, scratch off lottery tickets, radio contests like Magic Money, and trips to casinos from time to time. She had a few big wins over the years which was so much fun for her.

Family was very important to Sondra. She and Glen hosted many family events in their home including her father’s yearly family birthday party, along with many other family events. Birthdays were always very special to her. She always had a lovely card picked out and in the mail for friends and family to make everyone feel loved and special.  

Sondra is survived by her husband of 59 years, Glen; her children, Lori Parisi, Cindy (Derek) Kreckow, and Eric (Jessica Bell) Northrop; her brother, Stan (Debbie) Olson; her sister, Linda Ferguson; sister-in-law, Belle Mae Olson; grandchildren, Cory, Justin, Jenna, Seth, Gracie, Josh and Lena; great grandchildren, Joslynn and Tylee. And a special friend and neighbor, Martha Ripp.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Adrian Olson, and Harland Olson; a nephew, Jeff Olson; a close friend Jean Finstad, cousins, Judy Lee Tarbox and Geri Davis and by a brother-in-law Bill Ferguson. 

A celebration of Sondra’s life will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. with a service at 3:30 p.m. at Olbrich Botanical Gardens 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donation to the Alzheimer's Association

Sondra's family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the staffs of Evansville Manor for their months of special care and kindness. The staffs of  Skaalen Home for their compassion and love and also to Agrace Hospice for helping to provide comfort and peace. 

Manga Tusen Takk Sondra/Mom/Grandma....for all the love, the laughter, and the lessons.

You are forever in our hearts. 

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