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Joe Sobotka, 95, of Diagonal, passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 10, at the United Church of Diagonal, with services beginning at 11 a.m. There will be a flag presentation by the U.S. Army Honor Guard at the church. Burial will be at a later date in the Bohemian Cemetery southeast of Diagonal.
Memorials are to the United Church of Diagonal and the Bohemian Cemetery. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
Walter Joseph Sobotka was born April 8, 1929, the son of Andrew Joseph and Eva Marie (Driskell) Sobotka, at home south of Diagonal. Joe grew up in the Diagonal community and graduated from Diagonal High School in 1948.
Joe began serving his country in the U.S. Army in 1951. He was an office worker and was honorably discharged in 1953.
Joe was united in marriage to Lois Bernadine Linkvis on June 27, 1953, at the Waukee Christian Church.
In addition to farming his own ground, Joe drove a truck for Clifford King. He drove a truck and helped shell corn for Everett Hersom and did many other jobs for them. Joe served the community of Diagonal in a variety of other capacities. Joe was on the Diagonal United Methodist Church board, Diagonal Community School board and Diagonal City Council. Joe loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bernard (Marlyn), Wallace (Patty), Chuck and Elbert; sister, Maxine (Bill) Myers; brothers-in-law, Darland McGinnis and Carroll Strange; in-laws, Evelyn and Don Dowell, Marlene Linkvis, Charles and Charlene Brott and Robert and Nelda Linkvis; many cousins and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Bernadine Sobotka of Diagonal; children, Mark Sobotka of Fort Myers, Florida, Kenny (DeeDee) Sobotka of Diagonal, Tina (Jack) Haley of Creston and Annie (Todd) Brill of Bedford; six grandchildren: Amber (Lester) Elliott of Diagonal, Jennifer Sobotka of Diagonal, Lacy (Jeff) Doolittle of Diagonal, Andy (Gabby) Haley of Diagonal, Barry (Andria) Brill of Granger, Amy Teeters and Eric Caldwell of Lenox; eight great-grandchildren: Kimber, Jaylynn, Brody, Braden, Jaxson, Kennedy, Karlie, Karson and one more due in March; sisters, Margaret McGinnis and Sheryl Strange; sisters-in-law, Janis Sobotka and Cawren Sobotka; in-laws, Gene Linkvis and Larry and Bonnie Bailey; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.