Obituary: Tonya Urban

Tonya Urban

Watertown, S.D.

Tonya Rae Urban, age 47, of Watertown, S.D., passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at her home in Watertown. Visitation will be at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 6-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Sigdal Lutheran Church in rural Tolna, N.D. Burial will be at the Sigdal Cemetery.

Tonya was born on Oct. 22, 1976 to Franklin and Virginia (Olson) Urban in Jamestown, N.D. When Tonya was two years old, Virginia married Terry Braathen and they made their home on a farm near Tolna, N.D. Terry became a very special person to Tonya and she thought of him as her dad.

Tonya attended K-12 in Tolna and was a 1995 graduate of Tolna High School. Tonya attended NDSCS in Wahpeton, N.D. for 2 1/2 years, then transferred to VCSU in Valley City, N.D. where she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, with a Business minor. She taught and substitute-taught at Tiospa Zina near Sisseton, S.D., New Rockford, N.D. Elementary School, and also taught at Four Winds Tribal school in Fort Totten, N.D. She then worked as secretary for First Lutheran Church in New Rockford for four years; however, decided her passion was for making jewelry which led her to opening her own jewelry store in Carrington, N.D.

She met Scott Close and they lived in Sisseton, S.D. and Watertown, S.D. during their marriage. In 2014, Tonya went to work for South Dakota Rehabilitation Services in Watertown, where she worked until her unexpected passing.

Tonya dearly loved her family; she also loved animals, including her rescue cat "Sassy" and rescue dog "Angel." She enjoyed music and was into making and wearing "bling" jewelry. She could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and was a sincere and loving listener.

Tonya is survived by her sister, Janie (Marlon) Steiner, Sisseton, S.D.; nieces Angela (Kevin) Storm, Watertown, S.D. and April (Jason) Kraft, Lakefield, Minn.; two great nieces, Madelynne Storm and Brynlea Kraft; and one great nephew, Payton Storm.

She was preceded in death by her mother Virginia Braathen, step-father Terry Braathen, grandparents, many aunts and uncles, numerous cousins, and Franklin Urban.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel of Watertown, S.D.