Sonja M. Collamer

Sonja Collamer, longtime Saratoga resident and community leader, died Sunday, October 8, in Laramie. She was 86.

            Born in Rapid City, SD, to Louis S. and Mae M. (Barber) Soreide, her family moved to Denver after WWII. She graduated from Denver West High School and went on to earn a BS degree in bacteriology from Colorado State University. After graduation, she and her husband, John Collamer of Hanna, moved to Chicago to fulfill his military service as a veterinarian.

            Returning to Wyoming in 1963, they partnered in operating the Saratoga Veterinary Clinic for many decades, treating both large and small animals and serving hundreds of families in the North Platte Valley. In addition to her duties as practice manager, Collamer contributed endless hours to organizations including the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce and Girl Scouts, as well as to the First Presbyterian Church of Saratoga and numerous roles with the State of Wyoming Presbytery Board. She also served on the Wyoming State Medical Board, Carbon County Republican Party Committee, Carbon County School District 2, Carbon County Planning Commission, and as vice-chair of the Platte Valley Healthcare Project which oversaw construction of the North Platte Valley Medical Center.        

            Sonja loved big gatherings, at her home or cabins or wherever she could make it happen. She and John built two cabins and she cherished the times spent there with family and friends. She loved to play games and her quick mind, wit, laughter and love made for the most wonderful times for those that played with her. She loved reading, Jeopardy and planting flowers. To say Sonja was a “Big Fan” of all things sports that involved her kids or grandkids, would be an understatement. Countless miles and hours in bleacher seats evidenced her love of family. Her lifelong faith and love for Jesus was a light that shone bright and warm every day. She received her calling, walked her path and shared the love that she was given with everyone she knew.

 Sonja is survived by her sister Ginny Hubert, brothers David (Nancy) Soreide and Phil (Pam) Soreide; her children, Deb (Gus) Ridlen, Mike (Lori Denny) Collamer, Ken (Susan) Collamer and Kerry (Mark) Steward; 9 grandchildren, Josh and Nate Ridlen, Paul and Lindy Collamer, Ben and Cameron Collamer, Zach, Leah and Kailee Steward; 6 great-grandchildren; as well as, 11 nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband John; brother-in-law Knut Hubert and sister-in-law Mary Ellen Dillon.

            Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, October 13 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Saratoga. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Saratoga or the North Platte Valley Medical Center.

The service will be live-streamed. Please use the following link to view the service. https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3908219763