DONNA KJORSVIK SOCKBESON

Donna Kjorsvik Sockbeson, 100, of West Melbourne, FL passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026 at her home.

She was born October 20, 1925 in Oslo, FL, and was raised in Indian River County. She was left in a basket on the doorstep of Hilmar and Bertha Kjorsvik at three weeks old and was adopted by the Kjorsvik's in 1928.

Donna graduated from Vero Beach High School in 1943 and was a member of the marching band. She attended Stetson University. In 1943, she and Frederick Sockbeson eloped to be married before Fred was deployed overseas during World War II.

Donna retired in 1989 after 30 years of service with the US Postal Service in Wabasso, FL. She lived in Roseland, FL from 1959 to 2008 when she moved to West Melbourne to be closer to her son Steve and daughter-in-law Sharon.

She was a longtime member of the Roseland Methodist Church.

Donna loved dashounds and cherished her dog "Tootsie".

She was very patriotic and an avid supporter of organizations honoring our Armed Services. She was a charter member of the Sebastian American Legion Auxiliary, a life member of the VFW Auxiliary and charter member of the WWII Museum.

When Donna moved to Greenwood Manor Condos in 2008, she was embraced by that condo family of friends and her family is eternally grateful for their love, friendship and support for her. We are also grateful for the love by her friend Bert, who lightened her life and her caretaker Gloria for her gentle loving care and The Rock of Greenwood, John the mailman.

Donna loved and cherished her family and so enjoyed our socials and holiday gatherings. We celebrated and honored her 100th birthday in October at her son's home with family. She was elated at the extent of celebration of her life.

She was truly a foundation of our family with her heritage, character, spunk and memories. Family and friends will miss her and are greatly saddened by her passing. We are blessed by her long life and our many memories. She is at home now in Sebastian and in Heaven.

Surviving are her son, Stephen Sockbeson, daughter-in-law Sharon of West Melbourne, FL; two granddaughters Shelby Finkelstein and her husband Andrew of Orlando, FL and Courtney Sockbeson of Brooklyn, NY and four great-grandchildren: Kylie Sockbeson of Melbourne, FL, Ella, Oliver, and Hazel Finkelstein of Orlando, FL. She is predeceased by her husband, Fred Sockbeson (1992) and grandson, S. Kyle Sockbeson (2016).