Sonja Ratayczak

Sonja Ratayczak passed away peacefully in Green Bay, WI on Thursday, September 4th, 2025 at the age of 99 years.

Sonja was born on March 21st, 1926 in St. Petersburg, Russia to her parents Anna Plusheva and Peter Petrovna.

During the German invasion of the Soviet Union in World War II, Sonja and her family were captured by the German army, taken as prisoners of war, transported by train to Germany and forced to work in a labor camp.

After the war ended in 1945, she was freed by the liberating US Army. Sonja and her sister Nina received jobs in US occupied Germany working at the USO, where Sonja met her future husband, Larry. Sonja and Larry enjoyed 64 years of marriage.

Sonja loved spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and crocheting many beautiful blankets and afghans for her family and friends. She also was an avid gardener, growing many different vegetables, fruits and roses.

Sonja is survived by her loving daughters Nina (Roger) Wargin of Green Bay and Sonja Shay of New Berlin, and her loving son Larry (Terry) of West Allis. Loving grandmother of Jason, Russell, Kristina, Kimberly (Ben), Nicole (Joseph), Patrick, Meghan (Joseph), Kyle and Ian, and great-grandmother of Quinn, Bryce, Christian, Connor, Camryn, Tyler, Lillian, Beckett, Breleigh and Zoya. Further survived by other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by her loving husband Larry, sister Nina Janny, brother Walter Plusheva and her parents.

Visitation will be held at the Bruskiewitz Funeral Home, 5355 W. Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee, on Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 at 10:30 AM, followed by the funeral service at the funeral home at 12 PM. Interment will follow at Arlington Park Cemetery, 4141 S. 27th St., Greenfield.