Sondra Gockel Fitzpatrick, 52, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at The Lutheran Home.

She was born July 23, 1960, in Cape Girardeau, to Marvin Eugene "Pete" and Laverne Springer Gockel.

She graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1978 and from Southeast Missouri State University in 1984. At the time of her graduation, she was only the 13th graduate to achieve a perfect 4.0 GPA. She went on to earn her juris doctorate degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1992.

Sondra practiced law with the Beard Law Firm of Carbondale, Ill.

Survivors include a sister, Rhonda (Jerry) Neels of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Rickey Gockel of Cape Girardeau; three nephews, Brad (Amy) Neels of Jackson, Darren M. Neels of Cape Girardeau, Trevor D. Neels of Cape Girardeau; a great-niece, Reese Caroline Neels; a fiance, William A. Dunn of Cape Girardeau; two aunts, Geraldine Ackman of Sikeston, Mo., and Irene Springer of Cape Girardeau; an uncle, Willard Springer of Cape Girardeau; a cousin, Randy Ackman of Sikeston; and dear friends Larry Beard of Carbondale and Lynn Fitzpatrick of Cape Girardeau.

She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved uncle Dale Springer.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mound Auburn Chapel.

A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Entombment will be at a later date at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum..

Memorial contributions may be given to Lutheran Family and Children's Services.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.