Anita L. Sohm

Anita L. Sohm

September 6, 1946 – March 14, 2020

Survived by husband, Charles E. “Chuck” Sohm, nieces and nephews.

VISITATION following CDC guidelines: Saturday, October 10^th from 10am to 11am, at the West Center Chapel followed by MEMORIAL SERVICE at 11am.  No flowers please.

To view a live broadcast of the Memorial Service, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the homepage.

Anita Louise Sohm was born in Canton, Ohio, but when she was 8 years old her mother and dad packed up the family to join her older sister and her family who had moved to Southern California. After she graduated from high school, she attended Chaffey College. She took a class where they found a job for their students and was told to report to the College Athletic Director, who asked her three questions: Do you type? Do you take shorthand? Do you like sports? Answering yes to all three got her a job in the men’s athletic department. After she graduated, that job was made full time for her and she worked there for seven years. She was an avid sports fan so this was the perfect job. She even wrote and illustrated the coaches football playbook.

During that time, she met Chuck when her friends convinced her to attend a dance at the Air Force base about 30 miles away from her home. That was the first time she had attended the dance and the first time Chuck had attended. They were married three and a half years later on March 15, 1969. A few years later, the Air Force moved Anita and Chuck to Tucson, Arizona for 22 months. Then back to Southern California. In Southern California she was about 30 miles from her family and got her old job back at the men’s athletic department where she worked for another four years.

Next they went to RAF Lakenheath in England. What a wonderful assignment! After England, the Air Force moved them to SHAPE Headquarters in Mons, Belgium. They spent a total of seven years in Europe and traveled extensively and somehow both found time to finish their Bachelor of Science Degrees through the University of Maryland. Of course, taking classes that involved traveling was a great way to get their degrees. In 1984, the Air Force moved them again; this time it was to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where eventually both Anita and Chuck retired. Chuck served 26 years in the Air Force. Anita joined civil service while they were in Belgium and completed 30 years of service in the budget career area and retired on April 1, 2011 (yes, April fool’s day).

Anita had three older sisters, but they all passed away before her. She is survived by two nieces; three nephews, and their families, all in Southern California. Chuck has a sister; a brother; two nieces, and nephews; all live Oregon and one nephew in Southern California.

Anita’s passion was for almost all sports, but especially college football and, of course, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Anita and Chuck were both very active in many Masonic organizations. They were members of Alpha Chapter #325 OES in Bellevue and served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 2005. She was appointed as Grand Warder by PGM Bev Donham and PGP Jim Dusch in the “Stars Across the Prairie” Grand Family. Anita loved being a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was honored and humbled by being the 2017-18 Worthy Grand Matron. She loved everyone for their support and encouragement.

Anita passed away peacefully on the afternoon of March 14, 2020, the eve of their 51^st Anniversary, following a 33 month battle with brain cancer. At the time she was a resident of the Nebraska Masonic Home in the third floor medical wing. Chuck visited almost daily and arrangements were made for him to visit even after the Home was quarantined as a precaution against the Covid 19 menace. He is so grateful for the loving care she received there. Funeral and memorial arrangements will be made after the travel and “social separation” restrictions are removed.