Family Tragedies Over the Years

SOBIESKI FAMILY

Frank Sobieski (1800’s) – Frank was the brother to Adam’s grandfather Anton. Frank moved to Oregon in the late 1800’s. On a 4th of July holiday, five of his children drowned in a nearby creek. Three of the names were Agusta, Ewa, and John.

Ewa Sobieski (1881-1918). Ewa was the sister to Adam’s father. She died at the young age of 37. Cause of death is unknown. She is buried at the St. Michael’s Cemetery in Berlin, WI.

Anton Sobieski (1895-1912). Anton was Adam’s 5th oldest brother (not the same person listed above) , and died of pneumonia at the young age of 17. Adam was 11 years old when Anton passed. Anton is buried at the St. Michaels Cemetery in Berlin WI.

Pauline Sobieski Piechowski ( 1900-1928). Pauline was Adam’s oldest sister. Shortly after getting married, her husband was killed in a work accident in Milwaukee. Pauline died shortly afterwards, suspected of dying of a broken heart. Adam was 27 years old at the time. Pauline is buried with her husband in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Berlin, WI.

Joe Sobieski (1893-1931) Joe was Adam’s 3rd oldest brother. Joe served in WWI and returned in 1918 with health issues, and was suspected to have been gassed in the war. He died at the VA hospital in Milwaukee in Dec 1931 at the age of 38. Adam was 30 years old at the time. Adam took over the farm upon his death. He is buried at the St. Michaels Cemetery in Berlin WI.

Agnes Sobieski (1904-1931). Agnes was Adam’s 2nd oldest sister. She died at the age of 27 with Tuberculosis being the suspected cause. Adam was 30 years old at the time. Agnes is buried at the St. Michael’s Cemetery in Berlin, WI.

Michael Sobieski ( 1896-1933). Michael was Adams’s 6th oldest brother. He died of typhoid at about 37 years of age. Adam was 32 at the time. Michael is buried at the St. Michaels Cemetery in Berlin WI.

Steve Sobieski ( 1913-1933). Steve was Adam’s 8th brother. He died at the age 20 of suspected typhoid. Adam was 32 years old at the time. Steve is buried at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Berlin WI.

Elmer Sobieski (1934-1954). Elmer was the oldest son of John and Gertrude Sobieski, and Godfather for David Sobieski. John was Adam’s oldest brother by eleven years. Elmer was driving tractor and pulling firewood across Willow Creek just east of Redgranite. His dad John was also riding on the tractor. Elmer decided to take a short cut and take the tractor across the frozen creek. It was believed that worse case, if the tractor broke through, the creek wasn’t deep and that one could walk out if ice broke. What no one anticipated is that when the tractor did break through the ice, and the load of firewood pulled up over on top of Elmer, pinning him underwater and he drowned. John couldn’t save him. Elmer is buried in St Marks Cemetery in Redgranite.

Ann Sobieski Beier (1937-1998) – Ann the the daughter of Paul and Marian Sobieski. Paul (1898 – 1979) was Adam’s next oldest brother. Ann moved to Washington DC with her husband and worked for the government. On the last day that Ann was to work, she drove home to have lunch with her husband Emerson. On the way home she was hit by another car and was killed. She is buried in the Alexandria City Cemetery in Virginia. There is a marker placed in her memory at St. Marks Cemetery in Redgranite.

Diane Alice Sobieski (1940-1953). Third oldest child of Thomas and Dorothy Sobieski. Diane love to sing, and according to Doris, she was an excellent vocalist. Even the melodies of her favorite songs are reminders of the fun loving girl who blessed our lives many years ago. Diane died at the young age of 12 years of old rheumatic fever at 3pm on Good Friday afternoon at Wisconsin General Hospital at Madison with her parents at her side.

Jean Jazdzewski (1951-1970). Jean was the daughter our our cousin Margaret Sobieski Jazdzewski, and was the Granddaughter of John and Gertrude Sobieski. At the age of 18, and a senior in high school, her young life was cut short when she was murdered by someone she met. He was convicted. Jean is buried at the St. Marks Cemetery in Redgranite.

Ben Marshall – (2010) – Ben was the son of our cousin Rich and Jill Marshall. Rich was the son of Josephine Marshall ( 1914-1999), Adam’s youngest sister. Ben was an active young man who enjoyed life. Tragically, a motorcycle accident took in life in 2010

Dave Marshall’s son (18 years old). Died unexpectantly at home at the age of 18.

NEAR DEATH TRADEGY

Frank Sobieski (early 1900’s) The second oldest brother to Adam. Frank was kicked in the face by a horse when he was young. The injury was so sever, that Frank was not expected to live.

ZELINSKE FAMILY

Joe Zelinske – Joe (on the right) was the brother of Grandfather Steve Zelinske (left). In the early 1900’s, Joe left for Milwaukee (or Chicago) to find work. He was never seen or heard from again. His daughter Pearl went to live with her Aunt (Steve’s sister).

Zelinske Children ( 1880) Grandpa Steve was the youngest of 11 children. Five older brother and sisters of Steve Zelinske who were Anna (2), Rosalia (3), Peter ( 4), Maria (7). and Andreas (9), all died within between Oct 18 and Oct 26, 1880 of diphtheria. All this happened before Steve Zelinske was even born. His father John died when Steve was 5 and his mother died in 1910. Steve was raised by his oldest sister.

Steve Zelinske (1949-1985). Steve was the oldest son of Walter and Betty Zelinske. Walter was the younger brother of Florence Zelinske Sobieski. Steve was young, bright but was struck down by a rare cancer in 1985 in the prime of his life. He is buried in St Marks Cemetery in Redgranite.

Allan Thoresen (2001-2019) – Allan was the son of Pat Thoresen who was the son of Norman Thoresen. Norman is the oldest son of Dorothy and Norm (sr) Thoresen. Allan was driving late at night on April 20, 2019 when he lost control of his car and struck a bridge support. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

NEAR DEATH TRADEGIES

Audrey Zelinske LaBolle (2001) is the oldest child of Jim and Kathryn Zelinske. jim is the youngest brother of Florence. Audrey was working in the north tower of the World Trade Center on Sept 11, 2001. When the first tower (south) was struck, Audrey ignored the stay in place orders by security and started down the stairs. She was assisted by colleagues who helped her due to her recent knee surgery. She escaped the building before the second tower collapsed. It took her the rest of the day to get home back the short distance to New Jersey.