Helen Anna Sobek (Miller) passed away January 20, 2012 at the age of 91. Helen’s passing was sudden and peaceful with the family by her side.
Helen was born July 15, 1920 in Cresbard, South Dakota. She was the oldest daughter of 5 children born to James and Anna Miller. The family resided In Devoe Township, South Dakota where they raised horses and farmed.
Helen attended Cresbard High School where she played the clarinet and graduated in 1938 with Salutatorian honors. She continued her education attending St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1942.
She met Kenneth Sobek in the early 1940’s and in 1942 they were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The Sobeks were together for 53 years making their home in Seattle, Manhattan, Montana and finally in 1958 in Burlington, Washington.
Helen’s life was that of a supporting and loving wife, a mother who had a gentle hand of guidance and a grandmother that loved and laughed with the little ones. Mom, your medical savvy will be missed. The homemade rolls that made each occasion special will be God’s gift now and our loss, but most of all, we will miss getting old together.
The Sobek children and their spouses are: Durward and Janet Sobek of Billings, Montana; Douglas and Lois Sobek of Anacortes, Washington; Debra and Bill Greaves of Marysville, Washington; Darlys and Jeff Thomas of Burlington, Washington and Daryl and Lavonne Sobek of Anchorage, Alaska. Helen had 26 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. She retired from Skagit Valley Hospital as a medical surgical floor nurse in 1985.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, parents, brothers and sisters and a grandson.
Memorials may be made in remembrance to The Gideons International, 925 Heather Cir., Mt Vernon, Washington 98273 and her church.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 30, 2012, at the Central Valley Assembly of God Church, 1551 E. Rio Vista Ave., Burlington, Washington, with Pastor Ed Leckenby presiding. The Graveside Committal Service will follow at Green Hills Burlington Cemetery. A time of visitation will be available Saturday, from 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday from Noon to 4 PM, at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
We are very blessed to have had (Great) Grandma Sobek in our lives. Always loving, always giving, we could always count on a warm hug, a big smile, and plenty of good advice whenever we saw her. Our lives were enriched by having such a grandmother, and she will be missed. But we look forward to a great reunion in eternity! Sorry we will not be able to make the memorial service, but you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Blu, Sarah, Deke, Ella, Katie and Ivan
Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pour them all out just as they are, chaff and wheat together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and shift them, keep what is worth keeping and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. Oh mother, I was your child, and now time makes you mine,
Dear Helen-God Bless you-I worked with you on the Surgical floor in the 70’s and 80’s and I learned so much from you-you had so much common sense! You never had an unkind word to say about anyone and you were a wonderful nurse- you have a star on your cap in Heaven. Condolences to your Family.
Although I did not know Helen personally, her son Daryl and I were school friends and I always remember her as kind and very giving to her family. I thought Daryl was very lucky to have such a wonderful mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Daryl and your family.
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. Everyone is in our thoughts. I was so glad that i got to visit with aunt helen last year on her trip to South Dakota.