Alice D. Sobotka

Alice Darlene Sobotka, 90, of O'Neill, died, in her quiet and graceful way, on Thursday, June 16, 2022, peacefully with family by her side at the Alpine Village in Verdigre.

Visitation was held Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a parish rosary.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. Fr. Bernard Starman officiated.

Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Alice was the youngest of four daughters born to Lloyd and Bessie (Wesley) Whaley on Jan. 22, 1932 in their rural farm home northeast of O'Neill. She attended District 62 country school and then graduated from O'Neill High School in 1949. While in high school Alice boarded at a small house under the water tower. She also went to state in 4-H for record keeping. 

Alice met Eugene Sobotka at a rural youth dance. The couple later married on June 1, 1953 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church after his return from the Korean War. Alice's sister Twila also met her husband Clifford Sobotka, Eugene's brother, at these same rural youth dances.  

Alice and Eugene settled in a farm house two miles west of Inman where together they raised nine children on the farm they built together.  

Before and after they were married, Alice taught in multiple one-room district schools.  

Alice and Eugene raised livestock, milked cows and grew vast gardens. She took great pride in being able to provide “home grown” food for their growing family. 

When Alice was not tending to the many chores or running lunch to family in the hayfield, she enjoyed spending time with her children and sewing. Later she made baby blankets and quilts for all of her 24 grandchildren. 

Alice was a member of the Holt County VFW Post 926 Auxiliary, serving for a time as the president. She was also a member of the Inman extension club and a quilting club.

She was loved by many friends, neighbors and caregivers, including the staff at The Evergreen Assisted Living and Alpine Village.

Alice is survived by her nine children Pam (Joe) O'Connell of Norfolk, Dan (Jannan) Sobotka of Page, Julie Pendry of Lake Mary, FL, Laurie (Alan) Morrow of O'Neill, Bill (Stephanie) Sobotka of Papillion, Ed Sobotka of Atkinson, Bob Sobotka of Norfolk, Chris (Marty) Schwartz of Stanton and Chuck (Maralee) Sobotka of Lincoln; 24 grandchildren Kim, Ryan, Matthew, Christopher, Anthony, Rachel, Travis, David, Jennifer, Morgan, Alex, Nick, Jeremy, John, Jamie, Lindsey, Amber, Adam, Makayla, Derek, Luke, Erika, Bailee and Madison; 28 great-grandchildren Emily, Makenzy, Beau, Kase, Brooks, Lily, Chloe, Leah, Deacon, Dixon, Sutton, Riley, Jackson, Madelyn, James, Faith, Constance, Jade, Tristan, Aidan, Hunter, Carter, Connor, Samantha, Elizabeth, Noah, Ava and Vera; one sister Twila Sobotka of Inman; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Bessie Whaley, her husband Eugene Sobotka in 2006, an infant son, two granddaughters Makayla Sobotka and Misty Lynn O'Connell, two sisters Irene (Clyde) Wengert and Donna (Allen Davis, Alvin Cornwall) Cornwall, and her two adopted brothers John (Caroline) Etherton and Ed (Mary Ann) Etherton.