Meet your neighbor: Vickey Sonberg

This person does not live in Winfield, has never lived in Winfield and has only lived in Iowa for three years.

She does spend a lot of time in Winfield because she is the manager of Winfield’s Dollar General. Vickey Sonberg lives in Morning Sun. Vickey was born in Guymon, Oklahoma, lived in Lubbock, Texas and Clovis New Mexico before moving to Iowa in 2022 citing “medical reasons” for the move.

Vickey was raised in Guymon where she graduated from Guymon High School and went on to attend Kaplan College. Vickey’s parents were the late Adrian and Linda Sonberg from Guymon, Oklahoma.

She has four siblings: Mary Scarbrough of Guymon, Oklahoma, Michael Sonberg and Lisa Victor both of Lubbock, Texas and Jo Swan of Morning Sun, Iowa.

Vickey has had experience in many areas of employment. Her resume includes working in fast foods in the deli at United Super Grocery in Guymon, in an office of a cardiologist in Lubbock, as a CNA at Brookdale Assisted Living, in housekeeping in school and now a retail manager.

These positions have given her experience in many areas including cooking, custodian work, and health care, which included assisting with pre-op preparations, and in retail. Her experience working with both the public and co-workers helped develop her skills as a retail manager.

“[The] job I have now, I have a co-worker, and we make each other laugh when times are rough, we send funny jokes to help move through the day.”

Vickey met her husband, Ira McCarty, when she lived in Guymon.

“He was originally from Lubbock, and we were married in Guymon on June 30, 1993. We were married sixteen years before he passed away.”

They had three children: Ira McCarty, Michelle McCarty, and Michael McCarty, all residing in Morning Sun.

Vickey has no grandchildren, but her observation is “You get grandkids sugared up and send them home with their parents. LOL.”

From her observations, it sounds like Vickey is prepared for the role of Grandma!

When asked the pros and cons of living in a small town Vickey replied, “Everyone knows everyone, everyone looks out for each other and people are friendly and kind. Cons are everyone knows everyone’s business and soon the whole town will know. You must travel to go to places to eat, shop, etc.”

It will be several years before Vickey retires, but she is looking forward to “sleeping in, traveling, fishing and more and other outdoor activities,” when she retires. She also has several activities on her bucket list. She wants to go sky diving, ziplining, and travel to different countries.

In June 2014, Vickey and two of her children traveled to Egypt where they visited Pharaoh’s tomb and learned about the history of Egypt which include why the Egyptians were so fond of cats. Vickey said, “The Egyptians thought cats brought good luck, so they worshiped them like gods.”

Vickey has also traveled to several states including Wisconsin, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Colorado.

When she is not at Dollar General, you might find Vickey camping, fishing, or pursuing other outdoor activities. She also in enjoys history, reading, family time and theology.

Her pet peeve is “stealing, lying, and cheating.” If she could relive any time, she would “go back to where we didn’t have all this technology so we could spend more quality family time.”

Vickey’s advice to youth is, “Listen to older folks their wisdom is learned, not taught.”

A lesson Vickey has learned is, “I have learned that I don’t know everything. Just wished I would have learned that sooner than later.”

Now that you have met the manager, be sure to say “Hi” to Vickey when you shop at Winfield’s Dollar General.

Thank you for sharing your story!

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