Sonja Jean Berget, 54, passed away on Thursday April, 17, 2025 in Minot, North Dakota. She was born to Kenneth V Berget and Melda Packineau in Watford City, North Dakota on September 13, 1970.

Sonja’s native name is tirawii’ sukusu’ sapaak which translates to “she has a big heart woman”. We want to say thank you to our grandmothers from long ago who named, loved, cared for, and doctored her as a child.

Sonja grew up in New Town where she attended her early years of school before attending school in Stanley and graduating from Stanley High School in 1991-1992. After High School, Sonja went to live in Tri-City Cares in Stanley, ND and then moved to Minot, ND. After living in Minot, she moved to New Town before finally finding her permanent home at the Kalix Group Home in Minot, ND.

Sonja loved many things including riding her bicycle, playing guitar, shopping, playing cards, word search, painting, helping her mother bake, working in her mother’s jewelry store, and hamburger and french-fries. Sonja loved going on outings with her family, especially when it involved getting pop, chips, or shrump aka shrimp. She loved music by George Straight, Kenny Rogers, Elton John, and especially Elvis. When she would see Dr. Mayor she would sing “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time!” No one was allowed to tease the doctor except for Sonja Berget. Despite all of her many challenges throughout her life, Sonja’s huge heart, full of love, playfulness, and kindness was an example for us all.

We would like to thank all of the staff at the Kalix Group Home and Hospice of the Red River Valley for all of their loving and compassionate care for our sister Sonja.

Sonja loved her family and her family loved her dearly.

Sonja is survived by her siblings, Marmie (Charles) Hamamoto, of Tucson, AZ; Marilyn (Alfred McGillis) Howling Wolf, of Sedro Wooley, WA; Renita Howling Wolf “Lita”, of New Town, ND; Caroline (Charles) Rhoades, of Beaver Dam, WI; Michael (Karyl Jefferson) Howling Wolf, Bellingham, WA; Carroll (Delia) Howling Wolf, of New Town, ND; Susan R. Paulson, of Bismarck, ND; Robert Schmidt (adopted brother), of New Town, ND, and Donna Follet (adopted sister) of Wolf Point, MT; namesake granddaughter, Cedar Sonja Dyanne Grinnell, her grandchildren and great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth V. Berget; mother, Melda Packineau, brothers, Hugh Drags Wolf Jr., Arthur Paulson; sister, Jolene Begay.