John F. Sobczak

John F. Sobczak, 83, of Duluth, Minn., died peacefully in the arms of his wife and children on December 28th, 2003, in St. Mary's Medical Center Hospice after sustaining a head injury from a fall. He was born in Duluth on April 16,1920, to Joseph and Frances Sobczak. John entered the U.S. Army in 1941, and was deployed to the Asian Pacific theatre, where he received a Purple Heart. He continued his military career in the Air Force and received numerous commendations. After serving and traveling in 34 different countries, he retired to Duluth, Minn., in 1962, with the rank of Major. An accomplished ski jumper, John competed and won awards throughout Europe while in the Air Force. After retiring, he was involved with the Nordic and Alpine skiing programs in the Duluth area, coordinating events for the Duluth Ski Club and helping launch alpine facilities at Chester Bowl. More recently, he and his wife, Evelyn were active in Lakeview Covenant Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; Joseph and Frances Sobczak; his first wife, Irene; his brother, Chester; and nephews, Tom and Kenny. John is survived by his wife, Evelyn; daughter, Claudia (Karl) Borgeson, of Whitewater, Wis.; son, John Martin Sobczak, of Mission Viejo, Calif.; brothers, Leonard (Joyce) of Duluth, Clem (Lorraine) of Duluth, Richard (Bev) of Duluth, and Gerald of Cloquet; grandchildren, Sonya (Frederik) Bethke, of Minneapolis, Jeremy (Sarah) Borgeson, of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Keirsten and Colette Sobczak, of Mission Viejo, Calif.; four great-grandchildren; 15 nieces and nephews; four step-children, Adrienne (Jim) Sielaff, Lloyd (Betty) Budensiek,Linda (Dave) Webb and Bryan (Sue) Budensiek; 14 step-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren. VISITATION: 5-8 p.m. Thursday in Jarvi-Dowd Chapel and will continue from noon until the 1 p.m. funeral service Friday in Lakeview Covenant Church, North campus, located on the corner of Strand and Washburn. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard. Memorials are preferred to Lakeview Memorial Fund. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral and Cremation Services. Jarvi-Dowd Chapel. 925 E. 4th St.