Art Sobering
Obituary
On June 26, 2026, Arthur Schalla Sobering passed away peacefully at Rest Haven Care Home with family by his side. Art was 91 years old.
Arthur was born April 27, 1935, in Steinbach, Manitoba to Heinrich R. Sobering and Helena Schalla, the 11th of 15 children.
Art played hockey and was known to come home with a missing tooth or bloody nose.
He liked to play guitar and sing – and wooed his sweetheart Dorothy Toews whom he married on December 5, 1953. Soon after, a son, Arthur “James” was born, followed by daughter, Beverly, and “the twins,” – Kyle and Curtis. The story goes that he joked they were only going to take one of the twins home as they were only expecting one – and was happy to pay the lady down the street to change the kids’ diapers rather than change them himself.
Art enjoyed an amazing trip flying to Inuvik with James as the pilot, doted on his only daughter, Beverly, and spent time fishing, camping, and, of course, going to “the cabin” with his twins, Kyle and Curt. When grandchildren came along, he loved playing on the floor with them and chasing them around. He enjoyed hunting – and the family sure got used to eating wild meat.
Art delivered groceries, worked at Penner Dodge, and was proud to be a special constable for the Steinbach Police Department as a second job. He worked for the Highways Dept. for many years installing and maintaining highway signs. After retiring he kept himself busy working odd jobs, cutting wood (a true Sobering), doing woodwork in the garage, horses, coffee, and of course, going to “the cabin”. He really loved it there!
Arthur spent his last years at Rest Haven, where he kept the amazing staff busy filling the coffee pot, keeping the sugar out of sight (his pockets were already full), and acting as their ‘safety officer’ at night, making sure everyone was secure.
He will be lovingly remembered by his son Arthur “James” (Toni), daughter Beverly, son Kyle (Holly) and son Curtis (Sandy), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, his sister Magdalena “Helen” and many other family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, 13 siblings, and by his beloved wife Dorothy Ellen Toews, in February 2024.
The family would like to thank Art’s homecare workers over the years, as well as the staff at Rest Haven for the excellent care they provided.
If friends desire, donations in memory of Arthur can be made to Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or to Haven Group Foundation.
The funeral service for Art will be held on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with viewing an hour prior to the service.
The interment will take place at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.
