Sonya Block
Obituary
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear mother and grandmother, Sonya Block, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB, at the age of 80.
Mom grew up on a farm in Pansy. She was the oldest of three girls. Her dad worked in Winnipeg during the week, so all the chores were left for her and her mother. After attending Barkfield School until grade 8, she continued helping on the farm and caring for her sisters. She found work in Winnipeg for a couple of years before marrying Dad in October 1965. Two years later, I was born. In 1973, we moved back to Sarto area. Mom took on various short-term jobs before becoming self-employed in a painting business with a friend, for over 20 years. She took great pride in being able to support the two of them financially through this work, after Dad suffered a heart attack in 2000.
Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling. Florida, Hawaii, and Mexico were a few of the places they visited, along with many trips to BC to visit family and friends. They also had a small cabin in Rennie where they spent much time year-round with family and friends, fishing, snowmobiling, and sipping drinks around the fire.
Mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July of 2023, but still enjoyed two trips to BC and two weeks in Nashville, after Dad’s passing in September 2024.
Mom had infinite energy for work and play. She was never home because she was always out living life!
Sonya is survived by one son Gary (Shelley), two granddaughters; Sara (Paul) and Lauren, and three step-grandsons; Evan, Jared, and Curtis Wiens. She leaves to mourn two sisters; Diane (Larry) Shuwera, and Nancy (Ed) Prociuk, and three sisters-in-law; Christine Block, Christine (Melvin) Senkow, and Gloria (Luciano) Armenti, as well as many nieces and nephews and her cat, Buddy.
She is predeceased by her husband Raymond, her parents Joe and Margaret Henzel, parents-in-law James and Lena Block, and one brother-in-law Larry Block.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.
