1947 ~ 2016
Doug Sobering, aged 69 years, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at the Bethesda Hospital, Steinbach, MB. Doug is survived by his loving wife Marlene (nee Derksen), son Steven and his wife Melanie and their children Liam and Callie of Dauphin, MB. He was predeceased by his son Brett (2005), his parents Albert (1994) and Bernice (1992) and his brother Randy (2004). He also leaves to mourn his passing many aunties, uncles, cousins, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
After marrying Marlene in 1969, he joined the Loewen Funeral Chapel, leaving there to work at A.B. Gardiner Funeral Home in Winnipeg, where he obtained his Funeral Director and Embalmer’s license. He spent 15 years in Winnipeg before taking a risk and opening a brand new funeral chapel in Beausejour. Though this was a very tough endeavour, the family worked hard to make the Sobering Funeral Chapel a success.
Doug also became involved in the Lion’s Club, B.B.D.C., Zion Lutheran Church council, a proud director on the Sunova Credit Union Board, and other volunteer positions.
Doug loved his family. He was very proud and supportive of Steven and Melanie’s combined and individual accomplishments. He adored his grandkids, always maintaining Liam and Callie were the smartest, cutest and best of all. He enjoyed sparring and debating current events with his brothers-in-law, and teasing his sisters-in-law. He liked practical jokes and loved to shoot the breeze, always saying that “this is a true story, not like all the other ones I tell you”. He was a “junk” collector, loved his ’51 Chevy, his Coca Cola collection and just about anything that was unusual. He always said the thrill was in the chase.
Failing health plagued Doug from 2003 when he had his heart valve surgery. He retired in 2011, enjoying a super year of travelling to Europe, Mexico, Palm Springs, and anywhere else that he was asked to go. It was wonderful. Diagnosed with COPD and congestive heart failure, his health just kept deteriorating until it took its final toll on Wednesday night, after a great day of playing some quite competitive cribbage with his Auntie Dean and cousin Fay. He just needed a rest, so rest in peace dear Doug. We love you and will always have you in our hearts.
Funeral service will be held at his beloved Sobering Funeral Chapel, 1035 Park Avenue E., Beausejour, on Monday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m., with viewing one hour prior. Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 200 – 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6 or the Manitoba Lung Association, 1 Wesley Avenue, Unit 301, Winnipeg MB R3C 4C6.
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Andre Vachon and Maria Montalvo-Vachon
Dear Marlene and family. I am very saddened to hear of Doug’s passing. Please receive our deepest sympathies. Our thought and prayers are with you all.
Lorne and Liliane
So sorry for your loss
Simone & Roger Badiou
Marlene and family please accept our sincere condolences on Doug’s passing.
Ken & Helen Klippenstein
To Marlene & Family, Our Deepest Condolences on the passing of your husband, father and grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Pastor Steven C Hetzel (and Karen)
Marlene & family: so sorry to read Doug’s obituary. I was glad to work with him during my years at Whitemouth & River Hills Lutheran churches. May you find comfort with your family and friends and know that God holds all close giving peace and security.
Peter and Shirley Cliche
We are sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Earl & Mary Unger
Condolences to you Marleen in this difficult time for you & your family,may God be Near to you at this time
Earl & Mary Unger
Steinbach
Sharon and Bud Biddiscombe
Marlene and family……we were very sorry to hear Of Doug’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tim and Rhonda Cameron
So sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. Marlene, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Heaven has another angel. GOD BLESS during this difficult time. Tim and Rhonda Cameron
Eric Neufeld
Dear Marlene and family
Our condolences on the passing of Doug.
Todd Harder
I had worked sparingly with Doug a number of years ago and always appreciated his company. He is a great loss to our profession. My sincere condolences.
Todd Harder
Birchwood Funeral Chapel
Ashley and Sophie Joyce
We are deeply saddened to lose such a dear friend. Marlene, Steven and Melanie, you have our sincerest condolences.
shirley and john hildebrand
Sorry for your loss, we are thinking of you and your family at this time. God bless you and your family. As for Douglas, he united with loved ones who went before him. I am very sure they are all getting to know each other again. He will be missed a lot.
Kevin and Jennifer Joyce
Marlene and Steven, our thoughts are with you. You guys have always been family to us and I will miss Uncle Doug very much. He was a wonderful man and we are lucky to have known him.
Edward & Betty Budz
Dear Marlene, Steven & Family.
We are so saddened to hear about Doug’s passing, a friend & colleague.
We always enjoyed our visits with Doug. May treasured Memories of your Dear Husband, Father and Grandpa, along with the support of Family & Friends help you now and in the time ahead. You are all in our thoughts & prayers.
Ed & Betty Budz
Rena Corbett
I am sorry to read of Doug’s passing. He was a true gentleman and it showed through his work.
R.I.P. Doug. Now you will be able to watch over everyone
Wayne & Kim Voss
Wayne and I are so very sorry for the loss of your special partner. We are sending our condolences to you, Steven and family. You will be in our Prayers.
Ron and Bev Shafirka
Marlene and Family. We were so sorry to see about Doug’s passing.
Larry and Debbie Okolita
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Don and Erna Sobering
Our special thoughts to you Marlene and family(Steven and Melanie & family)….may the good memories live on!
Keep in touch!
Love Don and Erna
Pat Nevistiuk
Marlene, Steven & family,
We were sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Andy & Pat Nevistiuk
Rene & Gloria Crognali
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We share in your sorrow. Peace be with you and your family.
Love Rene & Gloria
Andrew and Tracey Wurch
Our sincere condolences to the Sobering family. Doug was so kind and thoughtful to our family and anyone he met. May he fly with the angels.
Glen & Debbie Beger
Marlene and Family, Please accept Our Condolences on your loss of Doug. We were saddened when we heard the news today.
Kelly Hastman Cherewick
Marlene and family,
So very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Chris and Ardith Tomasson
So sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. He will be missed. RIP Doug.
Jean Friesen
Dear Marlene, My sympathies to you and your family.
Marcia Vernon
Marlene and family,
Sincerest sympathy to you in your sorrow. May God hold you tenderly in His arms over the next while as you deal with your loss.
Sincerely, Allen and Marcia Vernon and family.
Wes & Cindy Omichinski
Marlene and family, It was so great seeing Doug and you at Rhonda &Doug’s wedding last July ..
It will be tough but you are a survivor..
Our Deepest Sympathies we are thinking of you .
Susan Kaatz
So sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
The Shtykalo Family
Steve, Mel, Liam, Callie, and the rest of the Sobering family
Sorry for your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
Devin, Angela, Hayden, Kellan & Adalyn
Karen & Art Berry
Please accept our condolences on the loss of Doug. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy Matychak
Our deepest sympathy for your loss, Doug was a wonderful man full of compassion and yet knowing for all that each person was capable of. He gave many years of service to our town in so many ways, through organizational involvement and through individual connection. Our hearts are full because of your husband/father/grandfather, he touch all of us in ways that only we are selves can know. Sending you all love, peace and prayer today and always.
Cindy and Clarence Matychak
Wally Funk
Marlene,
My sincere condolence on the passing of Doug.
After all these years of being away on Vancouver Island,
I still remember his distinct, mischievous laugh, and his sense of humor,
just as if it was “1967 AGAIN”, and we were tearing around the Kokomo gravel pits
with our hot rods, laughing and having fun.
We will all miss him! Wally and Cam Funk, Nanaimo BC
Bob & Audrey Currey
Dear Marlene Sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. Our sympathies to you and your family. Bob & Audrey (Harder) Currey
Bart Coleman
Marlene, you and Doug have cared and comforted countless people over the years. One can imagine how many lives you’ve enriched and made a bit easier during difficult times of loss and grief. May you find a measure of solace and comfort now. Thank you for your collegial support to local pastors and priests and for some of the “true stories” you have shared. Heart felt condolences and appreciation for having shared a bit of the journey with you,
Lynn and Ernie Chalus
Marlene,Steven and Melanie,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I am so thankful to have known Doug and would not wish him prolonged suffering. My hugs go out to all of you. Til you meet again.
Lori Wereley
So sorry to to hear about Doug’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Lori and Glen Wereley. ( your neighbours in Beaujeour )
Jon Stephenson
To Marlene, Steve and family,
Doug was indeed a special guy and he taught me a great deal during my time there in Beausejour; many of those lessons have come to fruition, even now, with my own business endeavour. My time(s) with Doug will not soon be forgotten and please know that you all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Jon (and Kim) Stephenson
Sheila & Brian Kaltenberger
Doug was always compassionate and kind…we are thankful for Marlene….and Doug’s steadfastness and caring through many, many difficult good-bye’s. Journey well Doug! Your caring and your many givings to those who needed “extra” care …..is remembered. Your community “REMEMBERS”. Thank You!
Sheila Klaprat & Brian Kaltenberger
Dave & Claudette Williams
Thinking of you Marlene and your family at this time with prayers. May you feel the peace and strength of God’s love surrounding and upholding you now and in the days ahead.
Arleen & Harry Pluchinski
Marlene and Family, our deepest condolences to you and your family. Doug was an super guys always a smile and a willing hand. May you rest in peace.
Bob and Maggie Smith
Marlene, Steven and family, Our sincere condolences to you on Doug’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Big hugs to all…Bob and Maggie
Brian & Bev Barkman
Marlene and Family – Our sympathy for you loss. I have special and wonderful memories of time spent with Doug,
Brian & Jan Halowaty
Marlene & family
Our heartfelt sympathy to all of you. So glad we had the opportunity to visit with you guys here last year. We have so many memories of fun times we spent with you both. Treasure your memories as well to help you through this difficult time. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Brian & Jan Halowaty
Cec and Irv Hanec
Irv and I were so sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. Just seems like yesterday when we sat outside on the deck at Falcon Lake sharing stories and laughter. Doug was always so easy going and a strong family man.
Also, I remember how proud he was to start up and own Sobering Funeral Chapel.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Cec and Irv Hanec
Judy Rikkelman
Marlene and family……we are so sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. He was wonderful man and will be missed by so many. Our thoughts are with you.
Judy and Jan Rikkelman
Bernie Brandt
Marlene:
Sorry to hear that Doug passed. Our prayers are with you in your bereavement.
Bernie
(I am from your past, at the time you worked at K-Vet with your father in law, Albert)
(farm name was B & C Farms (Blumenort))
Betty King
Marlene and family,
We join in offering our sincerest condolences on Doug’s passing. We were very saddened to read this news. Your strength, comfort and compassion helped us many times when we were dealing with both our personal losses and those in our work lives. Please know that we send that back to you ten fold now as you deal with Doug’s loss. Sending hugs and prayers to all of you. You are in our thoughts.
Dave and Betty King & family
Jake and Margaret Kroeker
Extending deep and heartfelt sympathy to Marlene and family in your bereavement.
Margit MacCharles
Our most sincere sympathy to Doug’s family. Doug was a very kind, compassionate and caring man. He and Marlene were there for my family and I when my Mom and Dad passed away. Their genuine caring, understanding and professionalism brought us so much comfort. Doug will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.
Margit MacCharles (nee Kunz) and family.
Roy & Diane Penner
Marlene & family,
Our condolences to all of you on the loss of Doug. Our thoughts and
prayers are with you.
Roy & Diane Penner
Eileen Braithwaite
Marlene and Family
I am so very sad to hear of cousin Dougie’s passing. Being my only older cousin, i remember adoring him as a little girl. Regrettably due to family complications I did not see him for many years. How wonderful that at our grandmothers funeral he reached out to me with comfort and support when I was feeling like such an outsider. I was so impressed with what a wonderful, caring man he had become. I am truly grateful we were able to visit last September for our aunts Birthday. I am very sorry and saddened for your loss, but I know he will live on In your hearts as well as in mine.
Denise & Kevin Bakken
Dear Marlene and family: We were so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved husband. Thinking of you.
Sara Mckimmie
Paul and I would like to express our sincere condolences for the loss of your husband and best friend, Doug. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Paul and Sara McKimmie – Chesteremere, Alberta
JB Gardiner
Dear Marlene and family. My sincerest condolences to you. While Doug and I never actually met, we spoke on the telephone many times and over the years he assisted us with many of our Winnipeg calls. I always found him to be honest and sincere – a tribute to our profession.
– John-Bryan Gardiner (Bob’s cousin)
Everest Funeral Chapels, Thunder Bay