Bernice A. Hobart

Bernice Annabel (Soelberg) Hobart, 92, of Sioux City died Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at a Sioux City hospital following a brief illness.

Memorial services will be noon Wednesday at First Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Alan Wicks officiating. There will be a private interment in Memorial Park Cemetery prior to the services. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Bernice was born Sept. 1, 1913, in the family home at 2401 Jackson Street, the daughter of S.L. (Sverre) and Martha (Sorensen) Soelberg. She grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School at the top of her class in 1931. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. for two years, transferring to the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1935 with a bachelor of science degree in business and marketing. She then moved to Minneapolis with her two sisters, Marcella and Lois, where Bernice worked for Donaldsons Department Store as a buyer. The three moved back to Sioux City in 1937, when their father suffered his final illness.

Bernice married Gordon Stuart Hobart of Alexandria, Minn. in 1938. Their marriage produced three children. They made their home in Minneapolis, Manitowoc, Wis. and also Alexandria, Minn. During World War II, Bernice worked at her father's business, the Sioux City Crockery Company. She was also a Red Cross volunteer at the Sioux City Air Base.

Mrs. Hobart's continuing education included obtaining her teacher's certificate at Morningside College, attending the French Institute at Elmira, N.Y. and the University of South Dakota for a master of arts degree in 1970. She taught math, English and French in the Sioux City Schools for 23 years, at West Junior High and Hoover Middle School, retiring in 1978. Bernice served a term as secretary of the Sioux City Education Association and was later an active member of the Retired Teachers Association.

She was very active in Sons of Norway for many years, serving a term as program director. She loved to travel and visited Mexico, France, England, Scotland and Norway, the land of her parents' birth. Bernice was a life-long member of First Lutheran Church, singing in the choir, participating in various circles and the altar guild. She also served as a member of the pastor's support group. She was an accomplished pianist and sang in harmony with her two sisters in many venues in Minneapolis and Northfield. To listeners, they sounded like the Andrews Sisters.

Bernice was a member of the Alexandria Cultural Club and the Sioux City Women's Club. She was known to always say "yes" and pitched in when needed. She was an avid reader and genealogy buff. History was her passion.

Survivors include a son, Michael Hobart and his wife, Sharon of Sioux City; two daughters, Martha Gross and her husband, Tim of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Barbara Wall of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Lois Randall and Marcella Coker; and two brothers, Oliver and Milton Soelberg.

Memorials may be sent to First Lutheran Church, 3939 Cheyenne Boulevard, Sioux City, IA 51104.