Sonya Nankivel

Sonya L. Nankivel, 54, Hillsboro, ND, formerly Wahpeton, ND, passed away, Sunday, January 11, 2014 at her home, under the care of her family and Hospice.
The Funeral Service will be Friday, 11:00 a.m., at Evergreen United Methodist Church, Wahpeton, with Rev. Jen Tyler officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. Arrangements have been entrusted with Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Sonya was born October 31, 1960, the daughter of Donald and Delores (Davidson) Cooper in Mayville, ND. She grew up near Reynolds, ND, and graduated from Central Valley High School in 1978. She attended Mayville State College and was united in marriage to Jerry Nankivel on May 24, 1980, in Reynolds. The couple lived in Pingree, ND, before moving to Wahpeton, ND, where they raised their three children. Sonya pursued a career in nursing, receiving her LPN from NDSCS, and her RN in 1999. She enjoyed her profession and worked at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge, MN, her daughter would later follow her mother's passion and become a nurse. Sonya continued nursing until her cancer would not allow her to serve others. The couple recently moved to Hillsboro, where they were closer to family.

Sonya was an active member of Evergreen United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for 25 years. She and her husband made several mission trips with their church in the Caribbean area. She adored her two grandchildren, and doing events with her children; especially running and hunting.

Sonya is survived by her caring husband, Jerry, Hillsboro; two sons and a daughter, Matthew Nankivel, Minneapolis, MN; Nicholas (Megan) Nankivel, Sioux Falls, SD; Tiffany (Chad) Gilberts, Grand Forks, ND; two grandchildren; Skyler and Colton; her mother, Delores Cooper, Reynolds; her brother, David (Heather) Cooper, Wahpeton; her sister Penny (Paul) Miller, New Mexico; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her father, Donald Cooper and her nephew, Keenan Cooper.