Marie Sobolik, 82
Marie Sobolik, 82, of Cresco, reunited with her family and friends in heaven on August 31, 2026.
Marie Jane Pecinovsky was born to James C. and Georgina Pecinovsky on December 6, 1943. She grew up on a farm between Cresco and Protivin with her brother Jerry.
On August 31, 1963, she married her next-door neighbor (one mile down the road), Arthur Sobolik, at Holy Trinity Parish in Protivin. They built their forever home in Cresco in 1966, raised three daughters, enjoyed dancing, bowling, playing cards, and entertaining their friends and family. They were married for 35 years.
Marie’s life revolved around raising her family, and her jobs revolved around cooking. She loved to cook and bake, and she was amazingly good at it. She cooked at the Cresco Bowling Alley, Cresco Care Center, both Notre Dame and Crestwood school kitchens. She co-owned two Cresco restaurants, Prime and Dine and Friends Diner and ended her cooking career at the Cresco Sales Barn just before her 80th birthday. She also loved cooking for friends and family. Having people over for a meal was one of her favorite things to do. She was a kolache queen and made many ice cream pails full of potato salad for people!
Playing cards with family and friends, going to Bingo and the casino, and listening to the Polka Party on Saturday mornings were also things she enjoyed. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren. She took them all to the casino and bingo and beat them at euchre most of the time (some think she cheated). She would call and text them just to see what was going on in their lives. She had a special, unique relationship with each one of them that they will always cherish. Even though she didn’t get to attend all of the ceremonies, she was so proud that each one graduated from college!
Marie will be forever missed by her children and grandchildren: Jan and Terry Bigalk and Ryan and Rachel and Blake; Julie and Steve Joerger and Logan and Rachael and Jenna; and Lisa and Myron Holt and Derek and Heather, Abby and Brett and Justin. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Quinn Holt and Drew Joerger, who both have a brother or sister arriving soon; brother and sisters-in-law Jim and Sharon Sobolik, Mary Jarvis, Evie Sobolik, and Margaret Sobolik, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her very special bonus kids who grew up next door, Scott and Krissy, also mourn her loss.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur, in 1998, her parents, and her brother, Jerry; parents-in-law, Edward and Olivia Sobolik, brothers-in law Joe, Martin, George, and Dick Sobolik, a nephew, Dan, and her aunts and uncles.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00AM Friday, September 4, 2026 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 223 2nd Avenue East, Cresco, with Fr. Francis Anane officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM, where the Rosary will be prayed at 5:00PM. There will also be visitation one hour before the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Notre Dame Catholic Church or Notre Dame Catholic School.
