Sonja Kay Brand, 67, passed away in Summerville, SC on May 6, 2021 from an aggressive form of cancer.  Sonja was born on November 27, 1953 to Bernard and Nora Barger.  She loved the game of tennis and played for Indianola High School until she graduated in 1972. Sonja attended Northwest Missouri State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in December 1975 in Psychology and Sociology.  She was united in marriage to Tim Brand on August 24, 1974.  They were blessed with a son, Jason and a daughter Jami (married to Vince Param).

Sonja worked as a program manager for Iowa Comprehensive Human Services from 1976 - 1991.  She then transitioned into education where she was employed by DMACC from 1991 to 2013.  She worked at the Ankeny campus as a faculty member in the Youth At Risk High School Completion Center.  She also taught evening GED classes at Indianola High School for 30 years.  She loved her job, her students, and co-workers.

Sonja then retired to become a full time Grammy to Paxton and Pria in South Carolina.  Sonja shared her love of the ocean with her family.  They spent many days at the beach gathering seashells and playing in the sand.

Survivors include her husband, Tim; children, Jason Brand, Jami (Vince) Param, Summerville, SC; grandchildren Paxton and Pria Param; brother, Greg (Judy) Barger, New Braunfels, TX.

Funeral services for Sonja Kay Brand will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Overton Funeral Home. A private family burial will follow the service. You may also join the family on our livestream located on Sonja's obituary page on our website. Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 14, 2021 at Overton Funeral home where family will be present to greet friends. The service will follow covid protocols and will be limited with the number of guests.  Any memorial donations received by the family will be given to a cancer research facility.