Obituary: Patricia Ann “Patty” (Soberski) Poling

By Door County Pulse, Peninsula Pulse – September 9th, 2021

Dec. 31, 1961 – April 7, 2021

Patricia Ann Poling, “Patty” to all who knew and loved her, of Missouri City, Texas, died at the age of 59.

She was born on New Year’s Eve in 1961 in Park Ridge, Illinois, the sixth of (eventually) seven children of George Aloysius Soberski and Charlotte Magdalene (Wasicki) Soberski. Patty grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois, and was raised Catholic. She graduated from Niles East High School in Illinois in 1978.

Shortly after high school, Patty moved to Dallas with her mother. One day, while poolside, enjoying the sun as she’s always loved to do, she met Michael Nelson Poling. They were united in marriage at a church in Illinois.

Patty and Michael spent their early years living in Dallas, then Sebring, Florida, and San Diego, California. They enjoyed traveling together and exploring the countryside. Eventually, they found their way to Minneapolis, where for a dozen years they settled down to start their family. They were blessed with a son, Matthew. Patty’s family meant the world to her; she always put her family before all else, selflessly and tirelessly working to provide and take care of her son and husband. Her huge heart and endless capacity for love and understanding profoundly shaped who her son would become, and ultimately, her family, too. Every year at Christmas time, Patty would pour her imagination and soul into bringing the whole entire family together and decorating the house from top to bottom.

In 1998, Patty, Michael and Matthew moved to Houston to begin a new chapter in their lives. There, she discovered her passion for art. Patty began working with stained glass (flower scenes and polar bears, to name a few) and quickly picked it up to become an incredibly talented artist, creating dozens of gorgeous pieces of art. Patty continued her artistic passions and also created jewelry, (acrylic) paintings, stitched works, beaded bracelets and many other beautiful things.

Her kindness and compassion, which her family was blessed to know and love, extended beyond her family as well. While not needing to work, Patty enjoyed being with people and would take on jobs to allow this. Whether she was working as a bank teller, a school lunch lady, school bus driver or sales rep at Home Depot, she had a way with people of all ages, but she was especially good with children. The children in the neighborhoods wherever she lived always came to her house yelling, “Miss Patty, Miss Patty!” She was “mother” to a generation of kids.

Patty’s legacy of love, passion, art, creativity and joy will live on in all those whose hearts she has touched over the years, and her sense of humor and fun-loving personality will be deeply missed by husband, Michael; son, LT (N) Matthew Poling; father, George Soberski of Sturgeon Bay; brothers, Brian Soberski of Tulsa, OK, Stephen Soberski of Rockford, MN, and Richard (Barb) Soberski of Burnsville, MN; and sisters, Deborah (Dale) Weigand of Carlsville, WI, and Susan Soberski of Rolling Meadows, IL; nieces and nephews; cousins; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother; younger brother, Adam Soberski (2019); paternal grandparents; Florian and Jeanette (Kaczmarski) Soberski; and other relatives.

A private family memorial service will be held at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, with Fr. Edward Looney officiating. Patty will be laid to rest in Bayside Cemetery in the Town of Sevastopol.

Expressions of sympathy can be shared through her tribute page at huehnsfuneralhome.com.