Linda Louise Sobiech, 66, North Prairie

July 20, 1949 - September 4, 2015

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Linda Louise Sobiech, age 66, of North Prairie, will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in North Prairie. Fr. Roger Klassen, OSB will officiate, Fr. Greg Mastey and Fr. Laurn Virnig will concelebrate, and burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Linda passed away peacefully at the Quiet Oaks Hospice House of cancer with family by her side late Friday evening. There will be a visitation for family and friends from 4:00-8:00 PM Tuesday evening at the church in North Prairie, with parish prayers at 7:45 PM, and again from 9:30 AM until the time of service on Wednesday morning. Arrangements are being made with Miller-Carlin Funeral Home.

Linda was born on July 20, 1949 at the St. Cloud Hospital to Joseph and Irene Pyka. She was the eldest daughter of seven children. Linda graduated from Royalton High School and went on to receive her BA from St. Cloud State University where she studied Business Education and French. In 1970, she was married to Richard Sobiech at Holy Trinity Church in Royalton, Minnesota. They have four children and thirteen grandchildren. Working her way through college, Linda was employed at Dan Marsh Drug and after marriage, worked for Hormel in Austin, Minnesota where the young couple made their first home together. The birth of her first child prompted Linda's decision to stay at home full-time to care for her growing family. This example of selfless dedication and commitment was lifelong as all grandchildren, other members of her family and friends benefited from her loving attention. Linda was also an active participant at St. Stephen Catholic Church in St. Stephen and Holy Cross Church of North Prairie. She taught CCD classes at multiple grade levels and regularly volunteered her time to the benefit of both parishes. An avid gardener, seamstress, wordsmith, reader and baker extraordinaire, Linda was a model of gentle, refined kindness to all who knew her.

She leaves her beloved husband Richard; her daughter Denise and grandchildren Isaac, Leo, Emilie and Elijah; son Scott and his wife, Amber and grandchildren Josephine, Louis, Edward and Adeline; daughter Jolene and her husband, Eric and grandchildren Aidan, Morgan and Cora; and son Steve and his wife, Lucia and grandchildren Silvia and Samuel. She is also survived by her mother, Irene Pyka and siblings, Ron Pyka, Priscilla Sobiech, Cindy Gottwalt, Lisa Block, Mary Dehler and Lori Huebl.

She was preceded in death by her father Joseph Pyka, brother Joseph and in-laws, Aloysius and Marie Sobiech.