Sophie King

For Sophie King, family was always first in her heart. She was an endless source of love for her family and friends, and she treasured every moment she spent in their company. Sophie worked hard and played hard, was frugal with money, and yet was the first to offer her time and means to someone in need. Underneath her wonderful sense of humor and cheerful outlook on life was a reservoir of strength, which those around her came to depend on. People Sophie met usually walked away with a smile because of her loving humor and kind heart.

The year was 1920 and things were on the upswing for many in the United States. The grim visage of World War I lay smoldering in the distance and many Americans found prosperity working in the newly developed manufacturing sector. Walter Karpienia of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was one of those who relied on manufacturing to make a living. He worked at Kelvinator in Grand Rapids, while his wife, Lena (Karston), stayed home preparing for the impending arrival of their first child. On August 4, 1920, the couple became the proud parents of a daughter they named Sophie Marie. They later delighted in adding a son to their happy family, who completed the Karpienia household.

Sophie enjoyed a typical childhood, growing up in Grand Rapids, where she attended St. Adalbert School, and graduated from Union High School in 1938. Sophie was a good student and while at St. Adalbert, she especially enjoyed the home economic classes of sewing and cooking, which were taught by the nuns. Upon graduating, Sophie attended Cosmetology School, and after receiving her certificate, she went on to work in several small beauty shops.

Like many young people of the time, Sophie loved music and dancing, and would go out just about every night to dance halls, like the Vienna Gardens and the Plantation. It was while out dancing one night in 1940, that Sophie met a handsome young man named Frank King, who was charming and a great dancer too. Over the next couple of years, their love for each other blossomed, and they were happily married in a civil ceremony on August 8, 1942. The newlyweds made their first home together in an apartment on First St. NW, but later moved to Alpine Avenue, where Sophie lived while Frank was away in the service during World War II. It was here that the couple delighted in the birth of their first child, a daughter they named Mary. The family of three then moved to Fourth St. NW, above their parents’ home, where the couple welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Patricia. With a growing family, Frank and Sophie had a new home built for them on Hillmount NW in 1952, where they would raise their daughters and share many wonderful memories together over the years.

Frank supported his family working in the electroplating business. After his military service, he went to work for Preston Products, and then in the mid 1950s, he started his own company called State Plating and Finishing Co. Sophie even worked alongside her husband in the business for several months, but Frank eventually sold the company and retired when he was in his early 50s. Tragically, though, Frank died unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 58, leaving Sophie alone after 36 years of marriage. Shortly after losing her husband, Sophie moved to Rolling Greene, where she lived independently for the next 23 years.

Throughout her life, Sophie considered her family to be her greatest gift and blessing. She devoted herself heart and soul to being a good mother, and her unconditional love and selflessness reverberates through the hearts of her daughters to this day. Sophie loved to cook, and made many scrumptious meals for her family, which included her meatballs, chicken dinner, Swiss steak, potato pancakes and kielbasa, which she made mostly for the holidays. Additionally, Sophie also enjoyed needlework of all kinds, including crocheting, knitting and sewing. Over the years, she made many of her daughters’ clothes as well as clothes for their dolls. Even as they got older, she still sewed for the girls.

When it came to her leisure time, Sophie enjoyed golfing as well as a few hobbies with her husband. Frank taught Sophie how to shoot skeet, and she did so well, she became a champion shooter in the 1960s. They also attended several gun shows and shooting competitions together. At home, Sophie enjoyed the tranquility of tending to her flower garden, which boasted of her beautiful roses. She was also a big Detroit Tiger fan, and kept close tabs on their season. Sophie was extremely proud to be an American and did not take for granted the freedoms it afforded her. She took every opportunity to show her patriotism by displaying the American flag, especially on holidays. A real social bug, Sophie enjoyed socializing with her many friends and family, perhaps having lunch together. Her benevolence radiated and was always reflected in those around her.

In March of 2007, Sophie moved to St. Ann’s Home, where she loved to play the organ, especially music from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Being the warm, caring lady she was, she quickly made many new friends among the residents. It was here that Sophie passed away on Thursday, October 4, 2007, at the age of 87.

Sophie enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, and it was the people who were most important, not the place. A devoted wife and mother, Sophie’s smile and laughter filled each day with sunshine. She will be dearly missed.

Sophie was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; son-in-law, Jan Eric Bruce; and her brother, Edward J. Karpienia. Surviving are her children: Mary J. Bruce, Patricia A. and Wesley R. Iversen; and step grandchildren, Scott Iversen and Lindsay Iversen. Services will be held on Monday, October 8, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann’s Home, 2161 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids, with interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may meet the family on Sunday, October 7, from 2-5 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, or for one hour prior to the service at St. Ann’s Home on Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann’s Home, 2161 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, or Hospice of Michigan, 1260 Ekhart NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Complete obituary information in the Sunday Press. Please visit Sophie’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.