Obituary: Sophie N. (Fatsis) Karabis - Class of 1937

MADISON - Sophie N. Karabis, age 94, of Madison, died on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, at Waunakee Manor with St. Jude Hospice care. She was a first generation American, born on March 1, 1919, to Nicholas and Katina (Teroupoulos) Fatsis, and was the eldest of four children. She attended Doty Grade School and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1937. While at Madison Central, she met her future husband, George Karabis (also a first generation born), and they married on July 9, 1939. In June of 1944, twins, Peter and Nick, were born.

Sophie's husband, George, and brother-in-law, Jim Karabis, owned and operated the Karabis bar, now the Harmony bar. Sophie worked retail for many years at Baron Brothers, Manchester's, Karsten's Men's Store, H.C. Prange, Borman's, and finally retired from Walgreen's on State Street in her 80's. She completed the Helena Rubenstein and Revlon training courses and took much satisfaction as a beauty advisor. Sophie enjoyed watching the Badgers and Packers and taking care of "the twins". She often went dancing at Club Chanticleer with friends from the old Greenbush neighborhood, especially best friends, Tom and Mini DiSalvo. She was proud of her twins' service in the Wisconsin National Air Guard, and took great joy in her grandsons and cooking Greek dishes for holidays and family gatherings.

Sophie is survived by her sons, Peter Karabis and Nick Karabis; grandsons, Matthew Karabis and Barrett Karabis; her brother, Sam Fatsis; sister, Georgia Fatsis, all of Madison; daughter-in-law, Virginia Gully; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; brother, Gus; and daughter-in-law, Val Karabis. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 11 N. 7th St., Madison, with Father Michael Vanderhoef presiding. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison. In lieu of flowers, please remember Waunakee Manor or St. Jude's Hospice. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation and thanks to the many wonderful people who cared for Sophie during her stay there. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.  

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 5, 2013. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)