Sophie Kathryn Greff, three month old daughter of Josh and Bridget (Thomas) Greff, Richardton died Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson. Sophie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, April 13, 2009 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m., visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Sophie Kathryn Greff born December 22, 2008 was a perfect gift from God. In this Easter season, we remember that our Lord, Jesus, came to Earth with a specific purpose. His message was simple: love. When his purpose had been fulfilled, he returned to heaven to be with his father. Sophie Kathryn taught every person who met her about love. She was a happy, talkative baby who made each day bright and exciting. She came into our lives and showed us how to truly love one another and, now that her message has been received, she has also returned to heaven to be with the Father.

Each morning, no matter what time the morning began, we loved waking up to Sophie’s smile. She would talk with anyone and often had a serious face when she had “something important” to say. Her big sister tended to smother her a bit, but she didn’t cry or fuss, even after the ninetieth kiss of the day. She looked like her Daddy, and Allison always pointed out that “Sophie has brown eyes like Daddy,” and she “has blue eyes like Mommy”. The two sisters had a special bond that probably started when Allison got sick of calling her Sophie and started the nickname, “Chuggy.”

Bedtime was our favorite part of the day. She loved bath time and would sit in the warm water and listen to her mother’s lullabies. With her hands held close to her heart, as if she was praying, she would often smile and laugh in her sleep. We will never forget the joy Sophie has brought to our lives and will continue to thank God each day for allowing her to be with us, even if it was only for three short months. We now know that the Lord is protecting her and will keep her safe forever.

Sophie is survived by her parents, Josh and Bridget Greff; her sister, Allison Rose Greff; grandparents, James and Patricia Thomas, Mott, Katheryn Greff, Regent, and Don Greff, Dickinson; great-grandparents, Fred Thomas, Mott, Rose Greff, Regent, Eldon and Carol Spletstoser, Garrison, and Maggie Lantz, Mott; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Kathryn Thomas; and great-grandpas, Kasper Lantz and Simon Greff.