Sonja Kristen Olshove
July 5, 1967 – September 4, 2016

It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Sonja. She was a tenderhearted, warm and generous person who left a lasting impression of kindness compassion on everyone she met. She was a wonderful wife to Keith and wonderful mom to Kiersten and her step-children Jade and Jared. She loved them with all her heart and it showed every day. Sonja sits alongside Jesus now and we will miss her immensely.

The landslide of support and memories from those she has touched is everywhere on social media and other places. It is a true testimony to the power and impact that a caring and engaged person can have on the lives of others. She believed it, and she lived it. Although we know we will join her again in Heaven someday, if we remember the kindness and love she showed everyone in her life, and then we in turn touch others with it, she will truly continue to live with us today!

Sonja was born on July 5th, 1967 in Traverse City to Roy and Marge Terdal joining big sister Shari and big brother Kevin.

She graduated from Traverse City High School in 1985, received her A.A. degree from NMC in 1987, her B.A. from MSU in 1989, and received her Master's Degree in social psychology from Wake Forest University in 1991. She followed in her dad's footsteps and taught at NMC for 25 years. She had a passion for teaching and loved her students and her colleagues. Her Dad, Roy Terdal, won the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence award for teaching humanities in 1982. Sonja won the same award in 2001 and 2013, being only the second teacher to win the award twice. She accepted the awards humbly and graciously.

She leaves behind her loving husband of 19 years, Keith Olshove, beloved daughter Kiersten and beloved step children, Jared Olshove and Jade (Jory) Smith. Sonja was very close to her Mother, Marge Terdal and Sister Shari Hauser-Terdal of Traverse City and brother Kevin (Heidi) Terdal of Des Moines, Iowa.

She leaves behind her loving in-laws: Bryan Olshove and Linda Butka, Eric (Shannon) Olshove and their children Kyan and Britta, and Keith's Mom, Kris Olshove-Steckley and her husband Jim Steckley. She will be missed by Uncles and Aunts: Ed (Elaine) Terdal, Leif (Marjorie) Terdal and Glen (Jan) Eskedal as well as cousins Paul (Tatiana) Terdal, Erik (Rhea) Terdal, Erik Eskedal and Elaine Eskedal.

She grew up in Bethlehem Lutheran Church and also attended First Congregational Church for many years.

On Sunday, September 11th, we will have the opportunity to celebrate her life and honor her kindness and love. Please join us at NMC's Hagerty Center, 715 E. Front St., Traverse City, Michigan 49686, from 1-3pm for a visitation with others who shared her life, followed by a service at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please donate, as she did, to the NMC Foundation's Scholarship Fund, 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686 or online at www.nmc.edu/sonja . It was her gift of choice because that fund goes directly to students.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Sonja's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.