Carol Sobey

Carol E. Sobey, after living a full life to the age of 91, passed on June 27th, 2016 at the Willcox AZ Hospital Hospice. She was born in Grand Rapids, MN, lived in Hill City, MN in her early years. When her father accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the family moved to Brookings, SD, then to Austin, Tx and then to Washington D.C. As she trained as a nurse at St. Elisabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C., she met tall, charming Navy Corpsman Bill Sobey, who talked her into marriage. They moved their family to the Hill City, MN area in 1953. Carol was active in the Hill City United Methodist church serving on many committees and was active with the WSCS/UMW. She was Worthy Matron three times and Secretary of the Quadna Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Education was a priority and she served on the Hill City School Board for many years. One of her big successes was that Hill City built a whole environmentally progressive educational complex, complete with classroom computer systems. After her husband, Bill retired as Aitkin County Sheriff, they enjoyed travelling in their RV, visiting friends and family. In 1993 they traded the cold winters of MN for the warmth of the sun, moving to Sunsites, AZ. They were members of the Willcox United Methodist church and enjoyed exploring their adopted region. Her landscape paintings reflected the beauty of southern Arizona. Carol is survived by her husband of 71 years, Bill, their six children and spouses, Kathy and Dan O’Reilly of Huntville, AL , Jim and Diane Sobey of Eden Prairie, MN, Peggy and Dave Stielow of Rio Rancho, NM, Don and Barbara Sobey of Pearce, Gail and Tim Petersen of Alpine, AZ, Meredith and Jon Bjorkquist of Crosslake, MN., 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. We will all miss her, the anchor of this large family. Memorial Services will be 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at the Willcox United Methodist Church. Contributions may be made in her name to the Willcox United Methodist Church c/o Wesleyan Pre-School and Child Care, P.O. Box 307, Willcox, Arizona 85644 or the Hill City United Methodist Church, 300 Lone Ave, Hill City, Minnesota 55748

Carol Sobey

October 5, 1924 - June 27, 2016