Sonja Swenson

Sonja Swenson left this earth on her 57th birthday, the same day she entered it - 09/24/68-09/24/25.

She will be remembered for her lasting legacy of warmth, kindness, humility, creativity, faith, and deep care for people -along with her ability to truly see people for who they were. She loved to travel and experience this world with those that she loved.

She loved and was loved deeply by her family; husband Steve of 35 years, kids Shelbi (Luke) and Sam and all of the pups. Their world will never be as bright or whole without her. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her mom Jan Miller, stepdad Mike Miller and brother Dan Swanson (Fiona, Liam, Brody and Theo). She is also survived by the many friends in her life that were her chosen family.

Sonja grew up in Pemberton, Minnesota. She went to college to study business at Concordia. Later, she opened up her first monthly market antique shop in Owatonna and then in Faribault. In 2003 she opened Sticks & Stones in Mankato, an antique and bead shop that would evolve and become a place of community over the next 22+ years.

Through her store, she created more than a business, she created belonging. She gathered people together that would otherwise not know each other and together they learned to make jewelry through her sharing her talents generously. Over the years, many of those customers turned into friends. Sticks & Stones became more than a shop; it became a sacred space for many, and Sonja was its heart. All who crossed her path could feel her warmth, kindness, care, creativity, and love.

Years later she took those same talents to Haiti where she and Shelbi taught women how to make jewelry. She was well aware of the fact that those women changed her life far more than she could have ever changed theirs. Shortly after their first trip to Haiti, Sonja and Shelbi created their wholesale line of jewelry, Seeds.

On August 21st of this year Sonja and Shelbi opened their second Sticks & Stones location in Zumbrota. Since Seeds began in 2013, Sonja and Shelbi worked closely together as a great team, growing both their wholesale and retail presence. She touched the lives of many customers and retail partners along the way.

Sonja was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Even in her illness, her light never dimmed. Throughout her cancer journey she never complained, always did the next right thing, somehow stayed positive and real and continued to spread the warmth and kindness she was known for. She faced each moment with unwavering courage and acknowledged the difficult parts while at the same knowing that cancer had a way of illuminating what was most important. She could always be found with a project in her lap while getting chemo or waiting for appointments. Keeping her hands busy had always, and continued to be her medicine.

Her family consistently hears from her nurses, doctors, and care staff what a special and rare person she was. She had a desire to know them and make their day brighter, all while being in the position that she was. She beat every obstacle that was placed in front of her and her family often heard from her team "there isn't another like Sonja".

Steve, Shelbi, and Sam walked with her every step of the way. She was never alone in her journey, and she fought hard until the very end-for them, and for life itself. Despite her terminal diagnosis, she never stopped living or teaching those around her how to live.

Sonja always thought outside of the box and didn't think that things had to be the way they had always been. She dreamed of having a living wake-a space to be present with her loved ones and support them, even amidst an impossible goodbye. That's exactly who she was. Though she didn't have the opportunity for the living wake that she wanted, her family is planning a private celebration of life to honor her beautiful legacy.

As we continue on, our hope would be that you would take a piece of Sonja with you. Maybe that means wearing a favorite piece of jewelry that she made for you, or taught you how to make yourself. Maybe that means getting curious about people. Asking questions. Witnessing more sunsets. Taking the trip. And most importantly; treating people well. Sonja always said "it matters."