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Sonya Sue Burgener, age 88 of York, Nebraska, died Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in York. She was the fifth of six children born to Dallas and Gladys Robirds. When she was born on April 27, 1936, in Powell, Wyoming, she was the first of the six to be born in a hospital. She spent her early years on the farm while attending the Powell public schools, graduating in 1954.
She and her siblings grew up playing music with her parents, aunts and uncles. When her dad said they were “going to have a tune,” it did not matter what she was doing or planning to do, she sat at her place at the piano and played bluegrass and gospel music with the family.
She met her husband of nearly 67 years, Donald Burgener, when she told a friend on the school bus that she wanted to meet that Burgener boy. They were married on Feb. 9, 1957, and spent the next 25 years farming and raising their three children in Powell.
When they moved to El Paso, Texas, Sonya’s skills managing the family farm translated into a career in real estate. She served as the executive director for the El Paso Association of Realtors until her retirement. During their time in El Paso, she was able to enjoy her love of family, sports and music as they traveled the country to visit family, watch her favorite sport, baseball, and attend bluegrass concerts.
They retired and moved to Bradshaw, Nebraska to be close to family. During their 18 years in Nebraska, they enjoyed spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and were active supporters of the York College baseball team and the York Dukes and Dukettes.
Sonya was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Burgener. She is survived by her son, Paul (Amy) Burgener; daughters, Jamie (Mark) Ohl and Xann (Russ) Linhart; grandchildren, Jeremy and Tessa Burgener, Josh and Karissa Burgener, Jordan Burgener, Leon Linhart, Kirby Linhart and Olivia Linhart; and granddaughters, Charley and Parker Burgener.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in York with the Rev. Father Janusz Marzynski officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, east of York. It was Sonya’s wish to be cremated. There will be no viewing or visitation. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Metz Mortuary in York is handling arrangements.
