Sonja Bartels McKemie passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, in Tyler at the age of 93, nine days before her 94^th birthday. She had been a long time resident of Tyler. She was born January 26, 1918, in Holland, Texas, to her German parents, Karl Richard Bartels and Erna Romberg Bartels. Her beloved sisters and brothers include her older sister, Roseline Bartels (deceased), Bernhard Bartels and wife, Lois, of Snyder, Karl Bartels and wife, Mary Lou, of Portland, Ernita Pritchett of Midland, Linda Hardwicke (deceased), brother-in-law, Dr. Larry Hardwicke of Abilene, Helene Morgan and husband, Chester, of Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Sonja earned her Bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University in Primary Education in 1939, and later achieved a Master of Education degree from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M Commerce). She was a retired teacher with an emphasis in Special Education. For 56 years, she was married to Wesley Warren McKemie who preceded her in death. She supported him in the establishment and operation of his business, Tyler Ready Mix Concrete & Asphalt Company.

As a loving mother, she was devoted to her daughters who include Karen Almira McKemie (now deceased), Martha Huston of Falls Church, VA., Karla Louviere of Birmingham, AL., and Sonja Simmons of Tyler. Her sons-in-law include Ken Huston, Michael Louviere, and Danny Simmons.

During WW II she volunteered as an Occupational Therapy Aide at McClusky Hospital in Temple, in order to care for injured soldiers. She enjoyed gardening, collecting, ice cream, crossword puzzles, keeping up with current events and had a special fondness for TWU, as well as her husband’s alma mater, Texas A&M University. She liked to travel and visited much of the United States and had toured Europe. A year ago, she was on her first cruise with her family in the Caribbean.

She was especially devoted to her seven grandchildren and participated in every aspect of their lives. They include Warren McKemie, Wesley, Elizabeth, and Jack Simmons, Michelle Louviere Hartung, David Louviere, and Jeff Huston.

Not only did Sonja dearly love her family and her country, but her lifelong relationship with the Lord was an example to us all. She was among the first members of Patriots Church in Tyler, and actively maintained her membership until her death. She was charitable, humble, and self sacrificing. She was conservative in her political views and liberal in her caring attitude toward all those around her. Her soul was… WONDERFUL!

A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday January 21, 2012 at Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Albert Hill, Jr. will officiate. A private graveside service will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery on her birthday.

If desired, memorials may be made to East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, 500 N. Bois D’Arc St., Tyler, 75702 or the General Scholarship Fund at Texas Woman’s University, % Patrice Frisby, P.O. Box 425618, Denton, 76204-5618.