Sonja Veronica Heng

Sonja Veronica Heng, daughter of Wayne Eric Sr., and Thelma (Christiansen) Sevon, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully with family by her side on June 18, 2025.

Sonja was born on August 27, 1934 in Lead, SD, and spent her life committed to faith, family, and community service. She graduated from St. Patrick’s High School, Lead, SD in 1952 and continued her education at Creighton University, St. Joseph’s Nursing College. After passing her State Board exam in 1955, she worked at Lincoln General Hospital as a surgical nurse.

On October 20, 1956, she was united in marriage to Leo Emil Heng at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Paul, NE and later moved to Lincoln, NE. They eventually resided in Nebraska City to raise their growing family of seven children. They shared 68 wonderful years together.

After starting a family, she was an efficient and loving mother and was also involved in many community, school, and church activities including volunteering at the Bloodmobile, Otoe County Respite Care, Salk Vaccine Clinic for polio, and as a computer assistant at St. Benedict’s  Elementary School. In her leisure time she was on the White House Lawn bowling team, played on the Wildwood women’s golf league, and was a member of the Catholic Daughters, Christian Mothers, Altar Society, and choir.

Sonja loved baking fruit pies, cookies and cakes and used her culinary skills in preparing Chinese egg rolls and crab rangoon for family Christmas Eve festivities. She also was a talented seamstress making dresses and formal wear for her girls. She was an avid reader and enjoyed all types of music; but her favorites were Bette Midler, Engelburt Humperdinck, and Elvis Presley. She attended many sports and music events that her children and grandchildren participated in. She was a huge fan of Husker Football and Volleyball as well as KC Chiefs and GB Packers Football.

Over the years, Sonja and Leo traveled extensively enjoying fishing, skiing, and sightseeing trips from the U.S., Europe, and the Holy Land.

Her strength, courage and faith was evident in her approach to life’s challenges which was truly inspiring to all.

Sonja is survived by her children: Daughter-in-Law, Beth Heng, Thomas (Karen) Heng, Christopher (Cindi) Heng, Joseph (Laurie) Heng, and Deborah (Kevin) Durr; grandchildren: Brian (Amy) Lowe, Katie (Jimmy) Dahm, Garrett Heng, Sarah (Jarred) Zak, Carl Heng, Lindsay Heng, Andrew (Meghan Anderson) Heng, Jane Heng, Isaac (fiancée Chris Aukes) Heng, Molly Heng, Justin Heng, Jared Heng, Tyler Heng, Megan Heng, Dylan Heng, Emilianne (Payton) Kerwin, Zoe (Jake) Boss, Aryn Durr; 10 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Leo Heng; her parents; sister Joan Sevon;  brothers Claude, Wayne Jr., and Lawrence Sevon; and children Matthew, Susan, and Stephen Heng.

A Visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nebraska City, NE on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., with lunch following in the church basement. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lourdes Catholic School Endowment Fund.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sonja Veronica Heng, please visit our floral store.