Sophie G. Weiss Obituary (1914 - 2008)

SOPHIE L. WEISS Sophie L. Weiss, age 93, died Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Dunn County Health Care Center in Menomonie, where she had resided since March 2006. Sophie was born March 13, 1914, in the Town of Red Cedar, the daughter of Albert and Helena (Henke) Grambo. After the death of her father in the flu epidemic of 1918, her mother remarried Henry Hart. Sophie was baptized and confirmed at St. Katherine's Lutheran Church in Beyer Settlement. She attended Beyer Settlement Elementary School until graduation from 8th grade. She graduated from Menomonie High School in 1930 and the Dunn County Rural Normal School in 1931 at age 17. Sophie taught school one year (1931-1932) at Louisville School and one year (1932-1933) at Kyle School. Sophie married John Newell Weiss on June 6, 1932. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in 1991. They lived at Fall City, New Auburn, Downsville, Boyceville, Menomonie, and then on Sophie's beloved Beyer Settlement farm, and again in Menomonie. During this time, Sophie taught at Boyceville High School, Knapp Elementary School, Wheeler Elementary School, and at Menomonie North Elementary School, where she taught 1st grade for 27 years. She taught many people in Menomonie how to read. She attended summer schools and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the State University of Eau Claire (UW-Eau Claire) in 1952. She continued her education and received her Master of Science Degree in Guidance from Stout State University (UW-Stout) in 1961. She was an elementary and high school teacher for 38 years. At her retirement, Sophie received a Dedicated Service Award from the School District of the Menomonie Area. Sophie and Newell enjoyed trips to Washington D.C., Colorado, California, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. They spent several winters in Mesa, AZ. They traveled to Hawaii to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Sophie enjoyed gardening, having company for meals, and she was especially famous for making dozens of rosettes before the Christmas holidays. She loved to crochet and knit. She knit afghans for many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Sophie enjoyed frequent visits and letters from her past students who were appreciative of her teaching skills and her firm but gentle guidance. Sophie especially loved the farm where she grew up and enjoyed her many years of gardening and cutting the grass with her John Deere riding lawn mower. She was proud to have her farm designated as a Century Farm at the Wisconsin State Fair in 2006. Sophie made many new friends and became reacquainted with old friends when she resided at The Oaks, Senior Independent Living Facility for seven years. Sophie was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Menomonie. Sophie is survived by her daughter, Sally (Mike) Schendel of Menomonie; two granddaughters, Krista (Bill) Sunderland of Champaign, IL, and Angela (John) Richardson of Menomonie; four great-granddaughters, Sara and Gloria Sunderland, Sophie and Emma Richardson, and one great-grandson, William Richardson; a sister-in-law, Betty Harris of Rock Elm, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, three step-brothers, a step-sister, and her husband, John Newell Weiss in 1992. The family would like to thank the staff at the Dunn County Health Care Center for their loving care and concern. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Menomonie, with Pastor Mary Jorgensen officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in the spring. Family and friends are welcome from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, and at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Memorials may be directed to Our Savior's Lutheran Church or The Oaks, both of Menomonie.