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Obituary for Sonja Annette Planchon
Sonja Annette Planchon, age 81, of Colorado Springs, CO, passed away on August 2, 2020. She was the daughter of Chester & Natalie Leiphardt of Hobart, OK.
Sonja is survived by daughter Robin Bomarito (Roy) of Littleton, CO, daughter Julie Paquin (Steve) of Colorado Springs, CO, son David Planchon Jr. (Christine) of Livermore Falls, ME, and siblings Felton Leiphardt of Biloxi, MS and Sandy Sellers of San Bernardino, CA. Sonja is also survived by grandchildren Logan Jenkins of Sheridan, WY, Kelli Wohlwend (Daniela) of Pine, CO, Alan Paquin (Krystle) and Nathan Paquin (Michaela) of Colorado Springs, CO, Becky McFarland (James) and Katie Planchon of Riverside, CA, and Derek DeVilbiss of San Diego, CA. Sonja’s legacy continues with great-grandchildren Seth Carley of Pine, CO, Cameron Jenkins of Raleigh, NC, and Granger and Gunnar Swan of Colorado Springs, CO. Sonja was preceded in death by parents Chester & Natalie Leiphardt, brother Chuck Leiphardt, and husband David Planchon Sr.
When Sonja was a young girl, her family moved from Hobart, Oklahoma to Southern California, and the life of a SoCal girl began. Sonja attended Garden Grove High School and worked at Disneyland’s Storybook Ride during her high-school years. She was a feisty redhead and held her own in tough situations, but when called upon in a time of need, she had the gentlest of hearts for everyone she encountered.
Sonja met David Planchon Sr. while working at Fashion Square Mall in Santa Ana, California, where he was also employed. She had her eyes on him, so when David would take his lunch break, Sonja would run into him while “coincidentally” taking her break at the same time. Soon, the mutual flirtation began.
Not long after, Sonja married David, and they raised 3 children in Garden Grove & then Fullerton, California. Sonja dedicated herself to raising the children while David worked as a lineman with Southern California Edison. She took on most of the household and family responsibilities, and she was a hard worker who attacked life with a positive attitude, no matter the circumstances. When the children were a little older, Sonja returned to work, and was employed at the Buena Park Sears Service Center as a dispatcher. Sonja and David eventually followed their best friends, and they moved from Orange County to San Bernardino County and continued life in Apple Valley.
Sonja was athletic in high-school, and afterward played softball, volleyball, golf, and could even out-shoot her husband at skeet. She passed on her love of sports to her children and grandchildren. She also loved the outdoors; summers were spent at the lake, where she shared her love for water skiing by teaching family members and friends how to ski. After living in Apple Valley for 15 years, Sonja & David transitioned to life in Colorado. They moved to Highlands Ranch to be closer to their family in Littleton and Colorado Springs. During their time in Highlands Ranch, Sonja demonstrated her loving and caring heart, hard work ethic, and positive attitude, by becoming a caregiver to David as his health declined. At the time of his passing, in 2010, they had been married 51 years.
Sonja enjoyed playing Bunko, gardening, and was an accomplished Tole Painter – a decorative folk-art painting style. She was very fond of the color purple, which you could find splashed everywhere in her life. She loved animals, and always had a dog (or two, or three) or a cat to keep her company. But, she especially loved cooking, and shared her talent by preparing elaborate meals for family and friends.
Sonja loved motherhood and her family, and she was fully invested in the life of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was even present for a few of the grandchildren’s births. Called “Nana” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she was known for her wonderful sense of humor, and could always make the kids laugh and have a great time. Sonja was cherished by all. Her family misses her greatly and they are deeply saddened by the void left by her passing.
They invite you to attend and celebrate her life and legacy at her memorial service on Sunday, August 16, 2020, at 3:00 PM Mountain Time, at Academy Christian Church – 1635 Old Ranch Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80908. A live stream link is available to those who would like to join online: https://vimeo.com/446965568/ed7971a486
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Previous Events
Memorial Service
Sunday
16
Aug
3:00 PM8/16/2020 3:00:00 PM
Academy Christian Church
1635 Old Ranch Road Colorado Springs, CO 80908
A live stream link is available to those who would like to join online, please copy and paste into your google search the following link: https://vimeo.com/446965568/ed7971a486
