John R Sobolik

John Roger ("Jack") Sobolik died Oct. 9th at First Care Health in Park River, ND at age 83, after a short illness. John was the 4th child born to John Charles Sobolik and Clara (Karnik) Sobolik on July 16th, 1929 in Veseleyville, ND. A 1948 graduate of Minto High School, he served in several elected class offices and was a member of both the football and basketball teams. He entered the US Navy upon graduation and was a member of the Blue Jackets Choir under the direction of the noted Cosmo Pusateri at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Chicago. John shipped out on the USS Albemarle as an Electricians Mate and sailed to the Caribbean and France in 1949. John co-owned Minto Hardware with his brother Lynus and married Mildred Michalski of Minto September 24th, 1952. As part of a state surveying crew he was instrumental in plotting the routes of US Highway 2 and Interstate 94. In 1963 John and Millie moved their growing family from Grafton to Seattle where Millie passed suddenly in 1969. He returned to settle in Park River with his children in 1972 and owned and operated Carpets by John until his retirement. Beloved by his family and respected in his community, "Jack" was a hard- working man with a wonderfully mischievious sense of humor who was generous and infinitely patient in raising his 6 children as a single parent. He was a dedicated member of St. Mary's Catholic parish in Park River for 40 years. His abiding Catholic faith was always part of his life and lent him immeasurable comfort and strength in his final hours. Preceded in death by his parents John and Clara, wife Millie and brothers Lynus and Gerald ("Bud"), our Dad is survived by his children, Perry (Sherry) Sobolik, Scott (Cindy) Sobolik, Lori (Larry) Gaarder, Todd (Deby) Sobolik, Paula (John) Winters and Amy Sobolik. John was very proud of his 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by us all. The family would like to thank the caregivers at First Care Health of Park River for their considerate care of our Dad and would like to direct memorials in John Sobolik's name to that organization Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Park River. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at St. Luke's Catholic Cemetery, Veseleyville, ND.