Jin "Sophie" Chan Chu Obituary (1927

Jin Chan Chu, best known as "Sophie", passed away peacefully at Luther Park Trinity Center in Des Moines, Iowa on November 13, 2019. She had resided there since November 2017. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Grimes, Iowa. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Sophie was born September 18, 1927 in the village, Damyang, in South Korea. She was married to Il-ho Cho; then became a single mother. Alone, she raised two children, Youngjong and Younghee. She worked tirelessly in heavy physical jobs, in order to raise and meet the needs of her son and daughter. First, she lived at Kwangju, then moved to Seoul in order to provide good care and proper schooling for her children. Sophie owned and managed her own businesses. First, she owned a rice farm. Being owner, it was necessary for her to be out in the field supervising and working alongside coop members who worked there; hand planting, weeding, and making sure water for the rice crop was not blocked. The latter was a big responsibility in itself, as sometimes she needed to negotiate with neighbors so water for the crop, from the reservoir, was not blocked. She was diligent in overseeing the water day and night and was nicknamed "Ghost", since she was seen all hours in that capacity. Besides helping plant and weed, she was responsible to feed, schedule, and encourage workers. In time, Sophie sold her rice field and worked in miscellaneous jobs including moving asphalt with a shovel; not usually a task that women took on. Later, she marketed clothing, by carrying a load on her head and going door to door. Her children were able to have successful professional careers because of their mother's relentless, immense sacrifices. After her children were grown, Sophie lived with them. First, she was with Youngjong and his wife, Youngmi; she helped care for granddaughters, Gawon and Sinwon. Then, the last 21 years she mostly resided at the home of her daughter, Younghee and son-in-law, Loren Steenhoek in Polk County, Iowa. She first came here from Korea, when grandsons Abraham and Benjamin were born in 1998 and 2000. Then she became a permanent U.S. resident in 2010. She was also known as "Halmuni", which means "grandmother" and "Sadon", which means "in-law". Sophie's grandchildren were her life and joy! She delighted with their every move, pointing them out to everyone at their public music events and other times. As they grew up, she was their marble playing partner, and watched over as they played, as well as making certain they did their home-school work and practiced their musical instruments. Sophie was a devout Christian, spending much time in prayer and reading her Korean Bible. She had a deep love of walking and being out of doors for long periods of time, no matter what the weather. She was known in the community as the little lady who walked on the roadside. Her quick, warm smile and Korean bow were extra special. That spoke huge in American surroundings, where she lacked English. In Korean tradition, she was quick to wait on others, being sure no one went hungry or had any needs for comfort. She was loved by all around her! Sophie is survived by her son, Younjong (wife Youngmi), her daughter, Younghee (husband Loren Steenhoek), granddaughters Gawon, and Sinwon (husband Kwangwon Kim), grandsons Abraham and Benjamin, step-son, Younghoon, step-daughter Eenam (husband Ohyung Cho), and step-granddaughter, Hana and Nana. ~Love from Youngjong, Youngmi, Younghee, & Loren~ Service Maranatha Baptist Church 877 SE 19th Street Grimes, IA, United States 50111 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM