Sophie Emily Bisland 1915-2011

BISLAND VAGANAITE MEILUNAS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/14/2012 at 14:18:58

Sioux City Journal
July 18, 2011

Sophie Emily Bisland, 95, of Sioux City died Thursday, July 14, 2011, at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Neb.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Daniel Guenther officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m., with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.

Sophie was born on June 30, 1915 in Sioux City. She was the daughter of Ignasis and Veronica (Vaganaite) Meilunas. She was raised in Sioux City, and graduated from East High School in 1934.

On June 30, 1945, she married Douglas Bisland, whom she met while he was stationed in Sioux City during World War II. After they were married, they lived in New York City, N.Y., Tulsa, Okla., and Wichita, Kan., before returning to Sioux City. Sophie worked at Swift and Co. and also at Younker's Department Store.

She was a former member of St. Casimir Catholic Church and the church rosary society. She and Doug also sang in the church choir until the church was closed. Sophie loved animals, especially cats; her favorite cat was Goldie. She was a supporter of the Siouxland Humane Society.

She is survived by her daughter, Karin Bisland of Omaha, and her cats.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Martin Thomas; cousin, Helen Stanek; and her aunt, Patricia Strola.

Memorials may be directed to the Siouxland Humane Society.