Sonja Younker

Sonja (Hadacek) Younker, 86, passed away at Fairbanks Pioneer Home on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. Sonja passed peacefully with her son, daughter-in-law, and oldest granddaughter by her side.
Sonja was born on a cold January day in Clutier, Iowa. Much to everyone's surprise, she was joined by a twin sister, Sandra, about ten minutes later. Sonja grew up in Clutier and Shuyville, Iowa, and attended college at the University of Iowa. During college, she and Phil Younker eloped and were married on Christmas Day, 1960.
After graduating from college, Sonja said she was tempted by the lure of adventure and applied to a teaching job in Alaska. In August of 1962, she arrived in Belkofski, Alaska, for what was to be a "one-year" adventure that stretched into 63 years. Sonja and Phil had two children together, Phil Jr. and Laurie. After 10 years of teaching in the Aleutians, Phil and Sonja made their way to Fairbanks, where Sonja taught at Ft Wainwright before hanging up her teaching hat to work with Phil in the insurance business for several years. After retirement, the lure of adventure called to Sonja once again, and she taught in both Honduras and the Czech Republic.
In addition to adventure and travel, Sonja was passionate about her Czech heritage and genealogy and her love for the Big Island of Hawaii.
Sonja was a tireless volunteer, dedicating her time and energy to numerous Fairbanks organizations, including First United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society, M.A.D.D., Fairbanks Republican Women, Pioneers of Alaska, P.E.O., Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Fairbanks Genealogical Society.
Sonja was preceded in death by her parents, Vince and Emma Hadacek; and her twin sister, Sandra Blozvich.
Sonja is survived by her children, Phil Younker Jr. (Tommie) and Laurie Keyes (Chris); grandchildren Alicia Younker, Taylor Keyes, Ryan Keyes, Noah Keyes, Hunter Ptacek, and Haidyn Ptacek; as well as her brother, Joseph "Pep" Hadacek (Rita); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sonja's family would like to thank the Fairbanks Pioneer Home staff and her private duty nurse, Janet Howard, for all their love and support.
Donations can be made in Sonja's name to The Delta Kappa Gamma Foundation, 3032 Riverview Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99709.