Edward Joseph Sobania,Sr.

Edward J. Sobania, Sr., age 78 of Little Falls, MN, passed away Friday, June 8, 2012, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with Father Mark Innocenti officiating. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 - 9:30 A.M. at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls. Parish prayers will be said at 5:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral chapel followed by the Bowlus American Legion Post Rosary at 6:00 P.M. Edward Joseph Sobania was born October 18, 1933 in Bellevue Township, Morrison County, MN to the late William J. and Anna B. (Kaiser) Sobania. He grew up in Royalton (Bellevue Township), MN. He entered the United States Army on August 14, 1955 and received an Honorable Discharge on August 16, 1957. Edward was united in marriage to Lucille Kempenich on January 31, 1957 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN. Following their marriage, Edward & Lucille lived in Colorado for six months and then moved to South St. Paul, MN for four years where Ed worked as a truck driver. In 1961, the couple moved to Little Falls. Ed worked as a custodian at Lindbergh School. In 1972, Ed & Lucy purchased a poultry farm from Leonard & Rose Miller, now known as Sobania Hatchery and drove school bus. Ed retired in 1995. He enjoyed old time music, dancing, making "Job's Tears" rosaries, deer hunting, camping, traveling, having a beer with family and friends and taking care of the old hen chickens. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, The Heartland Polka Swingers, where he served as president, life member of the Bowlus American Legion and was a member of the Farmers Union. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lucille; sons, Ed Jr. "Butch" (Mary) Sobania of Grand Rapids, MN and Rich (Monique) Sobania of Little Falls, MN; siblings, John (Delores) Sobania of Breezy Point, MN, Steve (Clarice) Sobania of Royalton, MN, Elmer (Mary) Sobania of Breezy Point, MN, Joe Sobania of Sartell, MN, Thomas Sobania of Little Falls, MN and Regina Kostek of St. Cloud, MN; grandchildren, Naomi (Nate) Sams, Justin Sobania, Kendra, Hailey, Kalli, Zachary, Lindsey & Gabrielle Sobania and great-grandchildren, Nolan, Niles & Nash Sams. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Anna Sobania; step-father, Cyril Wiener and brother, Louie Sobania.