SONJA KAY HOLSTI-WELLS

December 02, 2020

NEVADA, Mo.- A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, at the United Methodist Church in Nevada, for Sonja Kay Holsti-Wells, 73, Nevada, who died peacefully in her home at 4:10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, with her husband by her side. Rev. Sharon Freeman and Chaplain Johnny Adkins will officiate. Committal will be in the Johnston Cemetery in Bates County.

Friends may call at Ferry Funeral Home from now until 5 p.m. on Friday.

The obituary may be viewed and condolences sent online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.

In addition to her husband Tim, survivors include six children, Heather E. Walker-Shepherd, Sheldon, Sarah Kelso and husband Michael, Clearwater, Fla., Ross Wells and wife Amanda, Rogers, Ark., Matthew Wells and wife Katie, Ft. Scott, Kan., Danielle Huggins and husband Dan, Centrton, Ark., Rachel Rodriquez and husband Victor, Ft. Rucker, Ala.; 14 grandchildren; one sister, Jean Ann Allen and husband Mike, Deerfield and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one grandson, Rhett Walker Craig Kelso.

Mrs. Holsti-Wells was born Feb. 3, 1947, in Ft. Scott, Kan., to Wayne Holsti and Mary K. (Land) Turley, who later married Herbert Theodore Turley. Her grandmother, Cora Elizabeth (Masterson) Land, was a great inspiration and influenced her life in many positive ways. She was blessed with a sister, Jean Ann Alley, on May 30, 1952. She was blessed with many uncles that guided her through life, namely Donald Land and Thomas Land, who preceded her in death. She had many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends whom she enjoyed spending time with.

Mrs. Holsti-Wells was blessed with two daughters, Heather Elizabeth born Sept. 10, 1969 and Sarah Jennifer, born Jan. 22, 1973. She married the love of her life, Timothy Lee Wells, on Nov. 20, 1993. They recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. Upon this union she was blessed with two sons and two daughters, Ross Wells, Matthew Wells, Danielle (Wells) Huggins and Rachel (Wells) Rodriguez. Through all of her children she was blessed to be called Grammy and Mimi by Blake Walker Shepherd, Briauna Elizabeth Shepherd, Kaitlyn Hill-Walker, Kyler Kelso, Trevor Wells, Lillian Duncan, Regen Wells, Drake Duncan, Jackson Huggins, Zander Wells, Mackenzi Wells, Piper Wells, Isabell Rodriguez, Reyna Rodriguez and Phoenix Wells.

Mrs. Holsti-Wells was very well educated and attended and graduated from Ft. Scott, Kan. High School in 1965. She was very happy to say she was a member of the graduating class of 1965. She attended St. Luke’s in Kansas City, Mo., where she received her certification as an X-ray technician. She attended Tarkio College and Pittsburg State University. She obtained her Masters in Counseling, emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling from PSU in 1997. Her previous work experiences include JC Penney, 18 years at 3M Company in Human Resources, Cottey College, Nevada Regional Medical Center, Barton County Hospital, she taught at Pittsburg State University and she co-owned Counseling Associates in Nevada, Mo. and Lamar with her husband Tim. She helped many people throughout her life and she enjoyed every minute of it. She was an amazing influence on everyone she came into contact with.

Mrs. Holsti-Wells was well known for her involvement in community activities such as Sweet Adeline’s, she performed in many CCPA productions with her daughters Heather and Sarah and her husband Tim. Her favorite roles were Sister Robert Ann in Nunsense, Grace Farrell in Annie and Vera in Steel Magnolias. She enjoyed singing in the Nevada Community Choir and was very active in the Nevada United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, United Methodist Women and assisting with the yearly church bazaar. Her greatest joy came from her two mission trips to Mozambique, Africa.

She was loved by many and will never be forgotten with her beautiful soul, her many talents and all of the people she has influenced young and old. She instilled many values in her children and grandchildren.

***At this time there is no longer a statewide limitation on the number of people attending funerals or visitations, however those in attendance will be asked to maintain social distancing  and are asked to wear face mask to protect themselves and others.



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