Obituary for Sophie Blong

On Friday, December 13, 2024, just days after celebrating her 101st birthday, Sophie Blong departed on her final journey to her eternal life in Christ. The family is grateful for all the years they had with Sophie. Though she will be deeply missed, her family takes solace in memories of happy times and Jesus' promise of eternal life. "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die."

Born in 1923 on a farm near Peosta, Iowa, Sophie was the fifth of seven children of John and Lidwina (Schmitt) Heinz. Growing up during the Great Depression she learned to appreciate life’s blessings and to be resilient in the face of adversity.  Her parents instilled in her faith in God, love of family, and the value of education. She graduated in 1945 from Clarke College in Dubuque with a degree in Home Economics and began her teaching career in Waucoma, Iowa. That same year she met the love of her life, Matthew Blong. On their first date they danced to Big Band Music at the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville. Their love bloomed and in 1946 they married. Six daughters arrived in rapid succession!

While raising her large family Sophie was able to use her education and the skills she learned growing up, sewing all of her daughters' clothes, canning and preserving foods, cooking and cleaning - all while teaching during most of those years. Her teaching career impacted nearly 40 years and 3 generations of students beginning at the Waucoma High School and continuing at Turkey Valley Community School. She enjoyed entertaining friends and neighbors. She was active in the Reading Club, St. Mary's Catholic Daughters of America, and the Waucoma Library. 

After retiring, Matt and Sophie moved to Rancho Bernardo, CA where they escaped Iowa winters, made new friends and traveled. Prior to Matt's death in 2005 they celebrated their 59th anniversary. In 2006, Sophie moved to Urbandale, Iowa to be closer to family.  She easily made new friends at her retirement community, Deerfield, where she enjoyed living for her last 18 years. She was always busy with bible studies, entertaining in her apartment, shopping with her daughters, reading and playing cards.

The Blong house was filled with love and laughter – most of the time. Sophie did run a tight ship! No sleeping in on Saturday mornings – there was housework to be done! No slacking on homework. Must eat your vegetables. Elbows off the table. All valuable lessons her daughters learned to appreciate - later. More importantly, she loved, encouraged and supported us throughout her life. Sophie will be remembered for her steadfast faith which sustained her throughout all the joys and hardships of her life, devotion to family and friends, love of learning, and welcoming hospitality. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Sophie was preceded in death by her husband Matthew, infant daughter Barbara, her grandson Matthew Urban, her sons-in-law, Mitch Urban and Larry Morris, and, her siblings Joe, Catherine, Edward, Mary (Herrig), John and Lucy Heinz.

Sophie will be deeply missed and forever loved by her six surviving daughters and their husbands, Jane Capin of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Joan and Dan Meyer of Escondido, California, Sara Morris of Denton, Texas, Mary Sue and Gary Babb of Kansas City, Missouri, Carolyn and Denny Schmitt of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Patty and Phil Blahut of Gladstone, Missouri.

Sophie also leaves behind a legacy of love in her seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren: Ryan Morris, wife Lesley, children Luke, Ian and Maya of Dallas, TX; Hillary Morris Valor, husband Marty and daughters Tenley and Teagan of Dallas, TX; Erin Morris Rose, husband Dustin, and sons Gage and Cody of Dallas, TX; Andrea Babb Smith, husband Chris and children Connor and Morgan of Kansas City, MO; Carol Babb Wright, husband Andy, and children Max and Josie of Kansas City, MO; Benjamin Schmitt, wife Kate and children Nora and Benson of Wilmette, IL; Amy Schmitt Meuret and husband Jon, and daughter Camille of Overland Park, KS.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Deerfield Retirement Community and Suncrest Hospice for the loving care they provided to Sophie during her many years there and especially the two last years in the nursing center. Sophie loved and appreciated all of the staff that cared for her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, IA 50266 at 11:00AM on January 10, 2025. Visitation at the church at 10:30AM. Lunch will follow at Immanuel Deerfield Community, 13731 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA, 50323.  Burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Waucoma will take place at a later time.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Deerfield Community Scholarship Fund, 13731 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50323.