Sonja Knaack

Sonja Knaack, 55 year old resident of Red Lake Falls, passed away Tuesday November 25, 2025 from natural causes at her home. A celebration of Sonja’s life will be held Saturday May 2, 2026 at Riverside Park in RLF from 1 to 4 pm. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, RLF.

Sonja Rae Knaack was born July 31, 1970 in Thief River Falls, daughter of Philip and Sandra Torgerson. She was baptized at Silver Creek Church and confirmed at Abundant Life Church of TRF. She grew up in TRF and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1988. She attended both Northland Community College in TRF, and UND in Grand Forks, ND.

On September 23, 1995, Sonja was united in marriage to Kim Robert Knaack at Trinity Lutheran Church in TRF. Sonja was employed with Thorson Construction, Land O’Lakes, and spent the last 26 years at Digi-Key, most recently as a Sr. Content Associate. In 2004 Sonja & Kim moved to his family farm in Red Lake Falls. Kim’s death in 2007 created a huge void in her life. For the past 18 years she has helped organize an annual golf tournament in memory of Kim, which raised money to purchase many musical instruments and provide scholarships for the school in RLF.

Sonja loved music; especially playing guitar, cello, and violin. She spent a few years playing in the Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra. She ran lights & sound for the bands “Cedar Ridge” and “Luck of the Draw”, both were bands that her husband Kim played in. Horses were another lifelong love of hers. That led to being a member of the North Country Horsemen Club for many years where she served on several committees, as Secretary in 2003 and President in 2004. In 2000 she joined the Marshall County Sheriff's Mounted Posse. She was a member there for several years and served on the Training Committee. She also cherished making lefse with family, wine making with friends, the many dogs & cats she had over the years, her book club’s annual “Tentafestivus”, and just spending time with family and friends. Those who knew her well say they will always remember her giggle and generosity.

Sonja is survived by her parents Philip Torgerson of TRF and Sandra (Curtis) Cobb of Spokane, WA. Sister Anita (Wayne) Mensen of Randall, MN. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Lyle Knaack of RLF, Sharon (Roger) Schatzke of Billings, MT, Bonita (Darwin) Roth of New Leipzig, ND, Verna (Michael) Prebeg of Goodland, MN, and Leslie (Doria) Knaack of Crookston, MN. Nieces & nephews Heather Arnold, Neil Knaack, Todd Knaack, Tracy Malwitz, Nicholas Knaack, Ryan Schatzke, Matthew Schatzke, Adam Schatzke, Jesse Roth, Rachel Gorden, Treva Jefferson, Joshua Knaack, and Seth Knaack. Also, several aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friend Alan Holt.

She is preceded in death by her husband Kim, grandparents Melvin & Amanda Torgerson, Jesse & Miranda Skaaren, father and mother-in-law Vernon & Violet Knaack, and several aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be directed to the Kim Knaack Endowment Fund. This is the fund Sonja set up for the annual Kim Knaack Golf Trournament.