Sonya Anne Neisess, 45, died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007 at her home in Libby, Montana.

She was born in Sept. 27, 1962 in Valparaiso, the fifth child of Rush Dean and Carolyn Elaine (Fant) Colley, both of whom preceded her in death.

She married Joseph Neisess, Jr. on June 21, 1980 in Kemmerer, Wyo., who survives in Libby.

She is also survived by children, Ashley Renee and Adam Christian; sisters and brothers, Nancy (Michael) Vrska of McKinney, Texas, Mark (Rebecca) Colley of Sandy, Utah, Renee and (Steve Tornello) of Jacksonville, Fla., Karl (Carol) Colley of Chesterton, Denise Lange of Grand Rapids, Mich., Dean (Julie) Lange of Lake Jackson, Texas, Joseph (Margaret) Colley of Durango, Colo., and David (Dawn) Colley of Brownsburg; her step-mother, Arline Colley of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 28 nieces and nephews and 19 great-nieces and nephews.

Sonya attended grade school in Chesterton, and later went to Troy, Montana during her freshman year in high school, graduating as salutatorian from Troy High School in 1981.

She and her husband returned from Wyoming to Montana, first to Troy and later to Libby in 1983. Sonya first worked for 14 years as an employee for Cabinet Books and Music and later purchased the business which she operated for six years. She remained active in that area, serving on the Montana Book Award Committee.

Always active in community affairs, Sonya had served on the board of the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce and the Libby Revitalization Committee. A noted local musician, she had been a band member of Young Country for several years and had been a member of The Treasure Tones. She also had been a member of a local troupe of actors in several productions of the Kootenai Heritage Council.

Sonya was a member of St. John Lutheran Church as well as a member of the Alter Guild. Her largest passion in life was that of being a loving wife and partner and a very involved mother to her children Ashley and Adam.

Funeral services, Pastor Eric Christiansen officiating, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. John Lutheran Church. Interment services will follow in the City of Libby Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. John Home Health/ Hospice, 350 Louisiana Ave., Libby, MT 59923.

Posted 1/3/2008