Sonie Casson

Sonie Casson, 92, of Atlantic, Iowa, died with her family by her side Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Sonie Jacquelene was born on March 13, 1932, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was the youngest of ten children born to George Doumis, who immigrated from Greece and Frieda (Carsten) Doumis, who immigrated from Germany. One of Sonie’s favorite childhood memories was the summer trips they took on the train to Rapid City, South Dakota to visit family. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs in the Class of 1950. 

Little did she know that a night out dancing at the Eagles Hall in Council Bluffs would lead to her finding her future husband. On October 24, 1951, she was united in marriage to James Underwood Casson at the Mt. Hope Methodist Church in McClelland, Iowa. A week after their wedding, Jim left for Korea and she continued living in Council Bluffs until he returned home. In 1955, Jim’s job with the telephone company relocated them to Waterloo, Iowa, where they welcomed their daughter Lorrie into their family in 1956. She stayed at home until Lorrie was in school and started working at Santa Claus Associates in Waterloo. In 1966, Jim received a promotion and the family moved to Atlantic, Iowa. After the death of Sonie’s sister, they opened their arms and home to her 8-year-old son, Glenn, who they later adopted. They lived in a few homes in Atlantic after their move to the area, but their farm house on Buck Creek Road was all she ever considered “Home.” Sonie enjoyed her time in the yard and caring for their horses and dog, Rambo. When the kids were older, she started her 19-year career at Spurgeon’s.

Sonie looked forward to hosting family gatherings and you were guaranteed to not leave hungry; and if you did, it was your own fault. If she said it once, she said it a thousand times, “You better have more to eat!” She always made sure cookies were in abundance, her chocolate chip and pumpkin being a family favorite. It has been said she would sometimes bake the cookies and send them with family to give to other family members, but they rarely made it to where they were intended without being eaten. Sonie was very active in her kids’ and grandkids’ various events and a favorite memory of the grandkids was spending Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Her love of sports went beyond just family; she was an avid fan of the NBA, especially the Boston Celtics. She would always ask, “Did you watch the Celtics last night?”

A few things, among many, that Sonie’s family will miss will be her willingness to listen and her thoughtful cards and letters; she never missed an important milestone. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Jim of Atlantic, IA; daughter, Lorrie (Brad) Rasmussen of Atlantic, IA; son, Glenn Casson of Shreveport, LA; grandson, Eric (Shannon) Rasmussen of Omaha, NE and Bryant (Samantha) Rasmussen of Malvern, IA; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Harper, Violet, Noah and Myles; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her nine siblings.

Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 16th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery. 

The family requests memorials be directed to the Kiwanis Club of Atlantic, 58850 Independence Road, Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Sonie's family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.