Marie Ellen Sokness

Marie Ellen Sokness, 92, of Grand Forks died September 14, 2009 at Valley Memorial Homes Woodside Village where she had lived for the past 2 years. She was born November 11, 1916 in Baker, Montana to Prentice and Olga (Evers) Correll. She grew up in Beach, North Dakota and in the rural Fargo areas graduating from Moorhead State High School. She married Levi S. Sokness on September 3, 1938 in Moorhead, Minnesota. They lived in Billings, Montana, Fargo, and Valley City before moving to Grand Forks in 1954 at which time she began a long career with the R. B. Griffith's Department Store working in many different capacities. Marie enjoyed sewing, crocheting and knitting as well as dancing, playing cards, traveling, and doing crossword puzzles. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She had been an active volunteer for the Grand Forks Senior Center and was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. She is survived by a son, Gary Sokness of Washington, DC, and a daughter Janet (Larry) Eickman of Grand Forks, North Dakota; grandchildren, Dr. Jeff (Dawn) Eickman of Grand Forks, Tim (Kristine) Eickman of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Dr. John (Dr. Kara) Eickman of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; great- grandchildren, Lauren, Connor, Garrett, Ian and a new great-granddaughter, Natalie Marie, due to arrive next week; sisters Eileen Van Dame of Fargo, North Dakota, Evelyn Simpson of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Berniece (Frank) D'addario of Durham, North Carolina; brothers, Merle (Arlene) Correll of Dilworth Minnesota and Lloyd (Beverly) Correll of Moorhead, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Levi, her parents, and a sister Audrey Dobbs. The family is very appreciative of the fine care Marie received while residing at the Oakcrest Neighborhood of VMH. Sincere thanks go out to her special friends Eileen Hanson, Darlene Miller, and Gloria Sanford who were loyal and regular visitors.