Mary Helen (Bradley) Sobba, 98, passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Fowler Retirement Care in Fowler, Kansas. She was born on August 18, 1926, to Nellie Mae (Lawson) and Lewis A. Bradley in rural Copeland, Kansas. She married Irvin Ralph Sobba on June 21, 1948, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fowler, Kansas. Irvin passed away on April 10, 2015.

Mary enjoyed spending time in her yard and garden, where she grew a variety of vegetables and flowers. She took pride in canning the fruits of her labor, often sharing her homemade preserves and canned goods with family and friends. Mary loved preparing meals for church dinners and special family occasions. She also knew how to butcher chickens and hogs for meals, a skill that reflected her hardworking, self-sufficient nature.

In addition to her passion for gardening and cooking, Mary had an insatiable love for reading, finding joy in every book she could get her hands on. She also possessed a remarkable talent for sewing, and many of her family members cherished the handmade garments she lovingly created for them.

A lifelong Catholic, she was a devoted member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fowler, where she was active in the Altar Society and served the church in many ways over the years.

After her children had completed their education, Mary decided to pursue her own. She enrolled at Dodge City Community College to study nursing. Mary went on to work as a compassionate nurse in Minneola, Kansas, and later served as the Director of Nursing at Fowler Retirement Care, where she provided care with kindness and dedication to many residents.

Mary was also an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary and took great pride in supporting her community through these organizations. Above all, she cherished the time spent with her family, always being the heart of family gatherings with her welcoming home and loving spirit.

Mary is survived by her children, Steve Sobba and wife Debra of Wichita, KS, Barb Eccleston and husband Sheldon of Fowler, KS, Phillip Sobba and wife Leann of Dodge City, KS, Teresa Post and husband Brent of Meade, KS, and Kay French and husband Steve of McKinney, TX; grandchildren, Nathan Sobba and wife Allison of Smithville, MO, Emily Steffes and husband Joe of Rockwell, TX, Neal Sobba and wife Kathryn of Kansas City, MO, Nolan Sobba and wife Angela of Wichita, KS, Nick Sobba of Wichita, KS, Heather Palkowitsh and husband Kelley of Scott City, KS, Kelly Deplane and husband Doug of Satanta, KS, Kimberly Simon and husband AJ of Wakefield, KS, Chanda Schulte and husband Justin of Spearville, KS, Adam Sobba and wife Morganne of Hope, KS, Cori French of McKinney, TX, and Ryan French of McKinney, TX; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Greyson, and Hudson Sobba, Katelyn, Tejan, and Zach Delaplane, Kashen Palkowitch, Zane and Lima Simon, Zoey, Rylee, and Sophia Steffes, Reese, Parker, and Bradley Sobba, Reece and Lakyn Schulte, and Owen Sobba.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Irvin Sobba; her parents, Lewis and Nellie Bradley; sisters, Norma Waters, Margaret McElgunn, and Julianne Post; and brothers, Joe Bradley and Richard Bradley.

Vigil services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fowler, Kansas. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, at the church. Interment will follow at the Fowler Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made payable to St. Anthony's Catholic Church Memorial Fund or to the charity of the donor's choice, in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary in Meade, Kansas.