Sonja is survived by: her father, Joseph Hefton of Meeker, Colo.; her husband, Jeffrey Peterson; and children Drew, age 9 and Gabrielle, age 5. She is also survived by: her brothers, Shane Holden (Gina) and Joe Hefton (Lori); her father and mother-in-law, Jim and Kathi Peterson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Karen and Matt Kuffel, and Mark and Sarah Peterson; and nieces and nephews, Brendan, Gretchen and Owen. She was preceded in death by: her mother, Naomi Hefton.
Sonja was born on Feb. 18, 1972, in Grand Junction, Colo., to Joe and Naomi Hefton. She was graduated from Meeker High School in 1990 and attended the University of Northern Colorado.
She married Jeff Peterson, a commercial banker, on May 25, 2002. After moving to Glendale, Ariz., Sonja started Sonja Peterson Presentations.
The couple welcomed two children into their home. Sonja enjoyed watching Drew develop in hockey and Gabrielle in soccer. Sonja’s children remember her as a mom who encouraged them to pursue their goals. Sonja was an avid hockey mom and Bronco fan. She loved family and friends to the fullest.
Throughout her battle with cancer, she remained positive, upbeat and inspiring to all of her family and friends, demonstrating strength and courage throughout her trials. Everyone who knew Sonja was positively influenced by her.
A viewing was held Sunday, May 3, 2015, at Heritage Funeral Chapel in Peoria, Ariz. A funeral service took place on Monday, May 4 at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria, Ariz., and a reception immediately followed the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Sonja’s favorite charities may be made to Relay for Life at relayforlife.org or Banner Hospice at bannerhealth.com.
