Sondra (Nana) and Dean (Papa) Cassell

Dean was an Army Veteran and enjoyed his engineering job at Davis Design. He was extremely proud of the work he did at both Brian Hospital and Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Dean was truly a selfless person, a great listener, and loved everyone he met. He had a keen sense of humor and an unforgettable laugh. He was a loving husband, engaging father, proud grandfather, joyous great-grandfather and a wonderful friend.

Soni was born in Wymore, Nebraska, and moved to a few other Nebraska communities before attending Wesleyan College, marrying Dean and starting their family in Lincoln Nebraska, where she lived out the rest of her years.

She was a gifted artist who started Tole painting for pleasure and then moved into selling her work which took her and her family to many weekend tradeshows and flea markets where she discovered another love which was collecting a wide range of antique and americana items. She had a discerning eye and most every visitor to the Cassell residence would find something that they found fascinating.

In her later years she fell in love with Rug Hooking and became a talented artist, starting a business called Bittersweet Rugs, as well as a gifted teacher. It was very common for people who heard her name to ask her kids, ‘was your mom a hooker?’ and upon replying yes, the conversation would turn to some friend or relative that was once Soni’s student.

Soni lived the last twelve years at the Legacy on 56th and Pioneers and made many friends among the residents and staff. Our thanks go out to all of them and HoriSun Hospice for the amazing love and care they provided.

She is preceded by her husband Dean Cassell, her parents, Wanita and Elwood Purdy, and her brother Donny. Soni leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Mac Rodgers, and her son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Mary Cassell, along with five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren

Above everything Soni’s main love was her family. Spending time with her great grandchildren was what lit up her eyes with joy. This joy is what will be missed most by her family and friends, but they are all happy that she has joined Dean in heaven and can now move on to other art projects while she waits to be reunited with her loved ones.