Florence E. Sobek, 93, a longtime Skagit County resident, died peacefully on Monday, March 16, 2009 in Sedro-Woolley. She was born on April 10, 1915 in Pukwana, South Dakota, to Edward & Jane Knutson, the second child in a family of four.
She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Parnella and her husband, Tom of Mount Vernon; a sister, Maxine McCarty of Fallbrook, CA, sister-in-law, Helen Sobek of Mount Vernon and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was raised by her grandparents, Robert and Margaret Newell, after her parents and brother died in the influenza epidemic in 1920. She spend her early years in South Dakota and she graduated from high school at age 16. She attended Spearfish College in Aberdeen, South Dakota where she earned a Teaching Certificate in 1933.
During her collge years, she met Durward Sobek, and they were married in May 1939. She began her teaching career in a cone room schoolhouse in Harding, South Dakota. In 1941the young couple venture out to the west coast, settling in Seattle, where they both worked at Boeing during the war years. After the year, Durward was offered a music band position with Puyallup school district, and they moved to Concrete. Their daughter, Marilyn was born in 1946. In 1948, Durward was recruited to organize the music department for the Concrete School District and they moved to Concrete. Florence began a teaching position at Clear Lake Elementary. They next year Florence was offered a position she began a position with Concrete Middle School. Florence continued to teach at Concrete for the next three decades. During those years, she pursued a teaching degree from Western Washington University and graduated in 1971. She was a charter member of WEA, the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, the Cyrene Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, the Daughters of Nile, Hatasu Temple #1 in Seattle and the Elks Auxiliary Lodge 1604 in Mount Vernon.
She never ever let a student think they had the upper hand – she was on top of things and everyone knew it. She was not afraid to discipline, but was never unfair. We all knew how to spell, conjugate a verb, the difference between nouns and pronouns, etc. If you didn’t get it, you stayed after school!!! And, by the same token, she was ever ready to offer praise and compliments, and always support for her students. She did not command respect from her students, she earned it. She was steady and true, and I suppose these days would be called old fashioned in her teaching methods. Whatever it was called, it was right for the times and the woman. Sometimes teachers, don’t know what a difference they make in the life of a child, or what an inspiration they are. She continued her support and interest in her former students until her death. She was there for the showers, the weddings, and bounced many a third generation on her knew. She along with Durward, delighted in their successes, and loved visits when everyone was home. She was an avid gardener; she could trap moles like no one else. She was proud of that talent, when everyone else was plagued with holes all over the lawn. Her meticulous care of her home and gardens kept her busy after Durward’s passing. She was an avid golfer, and loved golf outings and shopping trips to Seattle with her old friend, Alice Drake. She helped to form a Lutheran congregation in concrete in 1954, and was active in that congregation until her passing. The ladies served the Lion’s club dinners for many years, and she delighted in being on that committee.
She was comfortable at Country Meadows in Sedro-Woolley where she moved to in 1994. She enjoyed the companionship for many while there, and over the years, several of her old Concrete friends joined her. She had many close relationships while living there. She still drove to Concrete for church often, and enjoyed a busy social life. A 90th birthday party was held in Concrete for her in 2005, and the hall was filled to capacity. A large group of her students led the assembled in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to their dear teacher. In 2007, she was chosen as Grand Marshall for ‘Good Old Days’ and the Class of 1957 honored Durward.
She relocated to Life Care Center in Sedro-Woolley in the latter part of 2008, when her health deteriorated. She was still able to receive company and many of them were her former students, coming to pay their respect just one more time. It just won’t be the same without her; the end of an era, you might say. They just don’t make them like that anymore.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, PO Box 567, Concrete, WA 98237.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 10:00 AM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Marcus Stroud of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church officiating. A fellowship will be at 11:00 AM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Wicker Rd. with Interment following at 3:00 PM at Acacia Cemetery in Seattle.
