Sonia Dreikosen

Sonia Dreikosen, nee Chansaulme, a long-time resident of Mettawa passed away Oct. 25, 2011 at Westmoreland in Lake Forest. Sonia was born in Sainte Foy la Grande (Gironde) France and immigrated to United States as a teenager. Sonia was a vibrant personality with a beautiful French voice to match. She found her way to the North Shore where she spent many years with the Red Cross at Great Lakes Naval Base. She met her loving husband, Wallace "Wally" Charles Dreikosen in Waukegan at the local Pharmacy. Wally was the young pharmacist manager. They were married within six months and it endured for 56 years. Sonia's profession was as a manicurist for various shops: Tete-a-Tete Salon in Wilmette and the Deerpath Inn, Lake Forest. Her other interests included French cooking (which Wally declared the best French cooking), being an avid skilled fencer who taught many throughout the North Shore, her Equestrian period, which included being a member in the Lake County Posse Club and her faith. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lake Forest. She had a special fondness for animals: including her modeling feline, GiGi; two Doberman Pinchers, Napoleon and Josephine; and two painted horses named Billy and Q-tone. Sonia is survived by her husband Wallace; her niece Jeanine Chambel and grandnieces in Moselle, Haute Savoie, and Bordeau France; sister-in-laws, Joyce Huhnstock, Georgine Mangold, Mary Lou Klinkosh; sister Marcella Marie, Rita Thompson, LaVonne Wieloch and Valerie (Chuck) Miller. Preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, her brother and nephew, Jean Bonhoure. Sonia will be truly missed by all that had the opportunity to experience her quick humor, her storytelling ability and the sharing of her life's adventures. No visitation. Funeral Mass 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 at St. Patrick's Church, 991 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Lake Forest. Info. Wenban Funeral Home, Lake Forest (847) 234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com