Ceferino “Sonny” Basco Sobrepena Jr., age 77, of East Helena, passed away January 26, 2024. Sonny was born to CB “Tom” and Margaret (Keyser) Sobrepena on April 19, 1946.
Sonny and his two immediate siblings, Evangelina and George, were born in San Jose, CA where their dad, Tom, worked the truck gardens. The family moved from San Jose to Bozeman after his younger brother, George, was born. At a young age, Sonny had a paper route and helped his mother, Margaret, with her rural paper route delivery. Sonny’s family also had a truck garden, and the Sobrepena family was known throughout the Gallatin Valley for their produce. Sonny was known in high school for his gymnastic feats, including the iron cross. In his younger years, he played guitar in a band with his cousin Pete.
When Sonny was 20, he married Lori Schwaeble. Together they had two daughters, Nanci, and Virginia Sobrepena. They later divorced.
In November 1969, Sonny met his beloved, Susan Marie Kuipers. They were married on February 19, 1971. They started their lifelong journey together in Gallatin Valley where he worked as a groundskeeper for Montana State University. They had Michael and Heather, raised a truck garden and pigs, and built a log house by hand, peeling one log at a time. They later moved to the Helena area and Canyon Ferry where they spent the next 20+ years living their best life on the water and in the mountains. Sonny was a devoted family man and took every opportunity to spend time with them. In 2005, Sonny and Sue moved to Townsend, where they lived for ~15 years. In 2021, Sonny and Sue moved to East Helena so that they could be closer to his 3x weekly dialysis, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Career: Sonny belonged to the Local 41 out of Butte, MT where he began his plumbing and pipefitting career. He traveled for work with other local unions on a travel card to work in refineries, nuclear power houses and gas fired plants. A few notable jobs were construction for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, City Center, and McCarran Airport (Las Vegas), Micron (Boise), San Ononfre Nuclear Generating Station, and the Cenex Refinery in Laurel. He also worked in Dutch Harbor in the early 90s on a hotel project for Unisea Seafood where his son, Michael, and daughter, Virginia, also worked. During his career, he also worked as a service plumber for the State of Montana Capitol Complex and operations and maintenance for the Bureau of Reclamation. He made lifelong friends on every job from his earliest days as a newspaper boy to his late career as foreman.
Sonny loved a life close to the earth and its bounty. Whether working in his family’s or his own truck garden, measuring snowpack for the soil conservation service, logging, hunting, fishing, sapphire mining, foraging, or camping, his beautiful smile was the widest in the wild. Everyone benefitted from Sonny’s generosity, adeptness, and bountiful harvest, from vegetables, morels, fish, deer, elk, antelope, game birds, smoked trout, jerky, or adventurous stories. For those of us who were fortunate, he was a meticulous and masterful hunting and fishing partner. He delighted in gathering loved ones around a table and feeding them. In the mid-80s, Sonny traveled to the Yukon for a once in a lifetime hunt and bagged a caribou, moose, and trophy grizzly bear. For the last several years Sonny treasured his annual antelope hunting trips with his son and grandsons to Jordan, MT at the Trumbo Ranch managed by Connie and Marvin Loomis.
Sonny was proud of his Filipino (and German) heritage. In the mid-80s, Sonny traveled to visit his Sobrepena family in Pagdildilian, San Juan, La Union, Philippines. He regularly attended the Filipino community gatherings in Helena. He was also supportive of Susan in reconnecting with her Crow and Lakota relatives and ways of being. Early in their marriage, Sonny and Sue hosted a sweat lodge on their property on Reese Creek. Sonny also helped with the Prayer Warriors at the Montana State Prison by obtaining lava rock for their inaugural sweat ceremonies. Sonny recently traveled to South Dakota with Susan for her naming ceremony.
Surviving Spouse: Susan Sobrepena; surviving Children: Nanci, Virginia, Michael (Corie), and Heather (Jim) Sobrepena, and G. Samuel (Todd) Walker; surviving siblings: Evangelina (Pete) Douma and Robert (Lorna) Sobrepena. Surviving Grandchildren: Matthew (Megan) Spacher, Chelsea McDowell, Atlas Sobrepena-George, Courteney Sobrepena, Cailey Sobrepena, Wyatt (Tiffany) Garber, Blaisen (Tanaya) Sobrepena-George, Moases Sobrepena-George, and Nieva Sobrepena-George; surviving Great-Grandchildren: Cache Sobrepena-Kraft, Liam Sorenson, and Maddox Sobrepena-George; Other Survivors: Sonny is survived by many Sobrepena and Keyser family cousins, Kuipers and Lafferty in-laws. Hunka (adopted) daughter, Diane DuBray, and adopted Idaho son, Sid Tucker, and his very special 4-legged girl, Sweet Pea, who was by him to the very end. Preceded in Death by: Parents, Margaret and CB “Tom” Sobrepena and siblings, George and Tommy Sobrepena.
In Sonny’s final days those of us who were with him either in person or by phone were able to witness him preparing for his journey. If Sonny was anything, he was efficient. (The only times or places that he dallied or lingered were the last fishing hole or sunset on the final day of the regular hunting season.) He called and visited with loved ones, family, friends, and ministers. He shared his inevitable news. He held our hands in his, looked in our eyes, and told us he loved us. He asked for forgiveness. In those final days and moments, we had the privilege of watching him become holy (wakan). For those of us who thought we knew him completely, his final moments revealed and reaffirmed his spirit- his gentleness, his unquavering faith, his love, his humility, his hope, his joy, and his courage. The honor to have done this life with him, forevermore, is ours.
Special thanks to the many dialysis nurses who cared for Sonny over the last seven years- your dutiful and kind care held a special place in his heart and ours. Thank you to Drs. LeClair and Howell, who helped Sonny achieve his best health possible, considering the circumstances. And thank you to his loving wife, Susan, who faithfully tended to Sonny’s dialysis, doctors’ appointments, and daily needs.
Memorials can be made to the St. Peter’s Health Foundation for the Dialysis Fund, Hospice of St. Peters, or to the Montana Special Olympics.
A Viewing will start at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home followed by A Celebration of His Life at 11:00 a.m., at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A Reception will follow the service in the Social Hall of the Funeral Home.
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m.
Saturday February 3, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 3, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Saturday February 3, 2024
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m.
Saturday February 3, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 3, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Saturday February 3, 2024
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Saundra Lowry says
Dearest Susan and family,
I am so sorry to read about Sonny’s passing. You are in my thoughts and heart now and in the days to come. May your memories sustain you as you go through your sorrow. Love and Peace. Saundra
Bonnie Sikes says
Dearest Susan & family,
You & Sonny have had a special place in my heart for a long time! You’ve been so faithful to care for him in a long sickness. I know there is deep sorrow but also a thankfulness that he isn’t suffering any longer. I’m thankful for memories of better days. Thinking of you with love. Bonnie Sikes
Connie and Bill Phelps says
Susan and family,
Bill and I were saddened to hear of Sonny’s passing. What a wonderful person he was, always with that Sonny smile. We wrap you in prayers of comfort. Hold your sweet memories close and they will comfort you when you need it. Hugs and love ❤️
Connie and Bill
Gail DeBono says
Susan & Family,
I was saddened to read about Sonny. I remember joking around with him when he’d come into CVS.
I know it’s hard now, but, it will get easier. Remember the good times, let your friends support you and be good to yourself.
Hugs,
Gail
Lorrie Vennes says
Susan and family,
We are so sorry to learn of Sonny”s passing. Our prayers are with you all.
God’s Peace,
Lorrie and Gail Vennes
F J says
Heather, I never met your beloved father but I
did get to know your mom when she worked for the VA.
Sending His comfort and love to you all at this time of loss.
blessings,
Fran
(retired from BRD)
Jackie Laverdiere says
Heather and family, I am so very sorry for the loss of your father. Prayers
Catherine A Russell says
Susan and family we are thinking about you all. Sending you all loves he was a great man.
Todd Barnard says
Gone but not forgotten. I knew him as reno. I’m just a construction worker I met him on a job in Billings Mt. And we became friends he was always telling me fishing stories we had a lot in common hunting and fishing. He invited me to come home with him one weekend, we weren’t working, to go fishing and meet his family. It was awesome they treated me like I was family I know he will be missed father and husband..so sorry for your loss.
Roy moreno says
Susan so sorry to here of Sonny’s passing my prayers and deepest condolences to you and your family he was a nice person I am glad to have met him RIP Sonny
Doreen Peters says
Susan, so sorry to hear about the passing of Sonny. I’ll always remember how much fun we had playing cards with him at the Townsend Senior Center. He was missed when he no longer could play because of his health. Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family.
Doreen Peters
betty shatzer says
Susan & Family,
Sonny had a special tinkle in his eyes every time he smiled.
That tinkle & smile was truly a gift from above.
We will carry his tinkling eyes & smile in my hearts.
Our thoughts & Prayers please carry with you.
Love,
Betty Re & Butch
Bonnie Lafountaine says
Susan, Heather and family, my thoughts are with you.
Roy moreno says
I was in the same room with Sonny during our Dialysis treatment I normally got there a little bit after him so I had to wait for our nurse to hook him up to the machine before the would get me set set up I notice he loved to read during my time being his room partner he had some amazing stories if he wasn’t reading he was pulling snacks out of lunch pouch or sleeping I was playing a game on my phone ond day when he’s started to scream me thinking he was cramping the nurses came running in when he was asleep he spilt his hot coffee in his lap during my time with him he brought me some smoked I believe it was Salmon and some of his homemade elka an deer jerky I would tell him about the hot pepper plants I was growing he told me at one time he grew a few plants himself I was moved to another room but once in a while they would put me in the same room because my Dialysis machine was acting up to your next journey you had some amazing stories I will miss our chats we had together till we meet again my freind RIP
NAN LEFEBVRE says
Heather and family,
I am so, so sorry for your loss. Clearly, your Father was a wonderful man who loved life and his family. I hope your memories and love for him get you through this difficult time.
Peace,
Nan
Russ and Michelle Jimeno says
Susan, Heather, Michael, and Family,
We are sorry to hear of Sonny’s passing. Every time I hear or think of Sonny, it always brings to mind loud laughter and humor with Dad and our family; I am smiling again just remembering now. Even though it has been a long time since seeing you all, the fond memories make the time seem shorter. One particular memory that still makes me laugh is the “culinary talents” of Dad and Sonny for my graduation. Our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with you.
Love, Russ, Michelle, and the Boys (Davin, Trai, Kai)
Charlene Linderman says
Susan and family, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart is with you as you navigate this difficult time.
Jay kitt says
Susan so sorry about Sonny. He will be missed. We loved playing pinochle with him in Townsend at the Senior Center. I am so glad he called me a few days before he died. We had a good conversation.
Don Murray says
Susan and family.Sonny touched our lives in so many ways. Having moved to Bozeman in 1975, Sonny taught me how to fish the Madison, sent me and family off to our family reunion wirh loads of trout to share! We joined forces to build our log home rhen your log home . Using his tractor and many hours of sweat and toil. He truly had a big heart and we enjoyed our fellowship and frienship . We’re thinking of you all today. Don and Sharon Murray
Linda Thomas says
Dear Susan and family, we are truly sorry for your loss. We were so blessed to have you both in our lives. His services were very nice. With love Doug and Linda Thomas
Hugh Smith says
So sorry for your loss! We remember many good times with your family!
Hugh Smith
Sally Nyland says
Heather (Jim) and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences and know you are in my thoughts at this difficult time.
Anne Pichette says
Oh, Heather! I am so sorry for the loss you and your family members are facing right now. Sending you lots of hugs.
Lois Simpson says
Susan and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Susan i never had the pleasure to meet your husband but I do remember you talking fondly of him. My condolences to you and your family. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Andy and Rinay Bender says
Heather, Mike and Family, we are sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. Sending our deepest condolences.
Thomas Kim says
So sorry that Sonny passed. I’m glad I was able to reconnect before he left. Sending prayers to all of you.