Steve Sobonya, The Unofficial Mayor of Marysville MT has passed. Originally, that’s all Steve wanted us to put in the paper….But for us to properly honor such a legacy, we only feel it appropriate to tell you a little bit about him:
Steve had a humble upbringing. Born in Ambridge, PA on June 27, 1940 to a hardworking coal miner father and his mother Mary, a homemaker. Mary married his father Stephen at the age13 and started having children by age 14. Still a child herself, Mary was a stern loving mother to Robert (Bob), Jean and then lastly Steve.
If you know Steve Sobonya, the first thing you would know is that he was Bobcat first and foremost. He had such a devotion of love for the game and ended up getting a full ride scholarship to Montana State University to play ball. At the age of 18, he packed up what he could with only a couple dollars that his parents could afford and proceeded to hitch hike his way across America in order to play the game he loved. Nothing ever got in his way.
He always said, “Bobcat Born, Bobcat Bred, Be a Bobcat Till Im Dead”. And he definitely lived up to it. Coach Sweeny would always say “#65 was the toughest SOB to ever play for him”, playing both sides of the ball as a guard and linebacker from 1959 – 1962. He was only 5”8” and weighed 165 lbs. And if you know football, you will know that guys in these positions are usually giants.
While going to school in Bozeman, Steve met and married his first wife CeBe and went on to have 3 wonderful, amazing boys, James “Jimmy”, Stephen Jr. and then Christopher. They each grew up following in their dads’ footsteps with their love of sports with two eventually landing in jobs r/t personal coaching. The other would eventually go on to fall in love with Dad’s second love of the food industry. After several years, Steve and CeBe parted ways and this was when Steve started to seek out his second love in the culinary arts.
Steve went on to open and operate several food/drink establishments in Bozeman, Great Falls and Helena. The Underground Bar, The Overland, and the Baucus Pub in Bozeman, and the Bakery in Helena. The last one he established was The Marysville House. During this time, Steve met and married his second wife Vanessa Sobonya, who welcomed two additional children to the family, David and Carrie. Together, with only an idea and a dream, they went on to create one of the most well-known steak houses in Montana, let alone, across the world. And he accomplished all of this by word of mouth. He never advertised. And if you talk with someone today in Montana and ask about the restaurant, chances are they know all about it and had nothing but wonderful things to say about the food, the help and Steves’ way of making you feel like you were a lifelong friend. He never knew a stranger. He had a dream of creating a environment where people could come together and create memories that thousands will always remember, nestled right in the small town of Marysville, MT. This is where he and Vanessa remained until both of their passings, she in 2017 and he on April 26th, 2026. Their love was truly one of a kind that you only usually see once in a lifetime.
Steve was proceeded in death by Vanessa “Vinnie” Sobonya, his parents, Steve and Mary Sobonya, as well as his son, Steve Jr. He is survived by his brother, Robert (Joanie) Sobonya, and sister Jean (Lou) Gerlovich, son, Jim (Michelle) and grandsons, Chris and James “Jimmy” Jr.; son Chris (Marsha) and grandsons Angelo, Arrow and Tritan and granddaughter McCarthy (Will) Oates; son David; and daughter Carrie (granddaughter Savannah, and grandson Gauge); granddaughter Jordan (Kellen) Beck, granddaughter Hanna, grandson Stephen, and granddaughter Genevieve. He also had four great grandchildren, Ivy Sobonya, Millie and Vaughn Beck, and Azalea Oates.
Celebration of Life Services to be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 4 pm. It will start at the Marysville House with a toast to honor Steve, followed by the celebration at his personal residence at 346 Grand Street in Marysville. We will have live music, a good bon fire, Courvoisier and… its a potluck! We will provide the meat, mushrooms and beans, but please feel free to bring a side dish or your favorite alcohol to celebrate the local legend! We would also like to extent our gratitude to our bonus family! This includes Mayrene Kottas, his special “Bird Lady of Marysville” as well as the friends that became his Marysville family these past couple of years. Words cannot express how fortunate we are to have had you all in our fathers’ lives. He was eternally grateful for all of your selflessness in taking care of him.
Lastly, Steve would also say Happy Trails and never Goodbye. Lets all get together to celebrate with him one more time. You know that he will be there in spirit sitting in his regular spot on his front porch of his house enjoying all of your company and talking about good times past.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
4:00 p.m.
Sunday May 3, 2026
Marysville House
153 Main Street
Marysvile, MT 59640
Potluck Reception
Following the Toast at Marysville House
Sunday May 3, 2026
346 Grand Street
Marysville, Montana 59640
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Lynette says
My sincere condolences to the family of Steve . I didn’t know him personally but saw his obituary and thought wow!! What a wonderful life! Death of a loved one is so painful and seems so final . I wanted to share what has helped me . I agree with his thoughts never goodbye. The Bible actually tells us of the hope for all who die . John 5:28,29 The Resurrection!! On Earth! You have the hope of being reunited with Steve again on Earth! I pray this Bible Truth brings you some peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Eric Wells says
I loved (and still love) your dad. He was magnetic. He made all people feel welcome and he genuinely was interested in YOU-and happenings in your life. I don’t think I will ever come across someone on this earth that made such an impact on my life in the way he (and Vanessa) did. I am forever grateful.
Happy Trails Mr. Sobonya.
Dan Herrera says
Will really miss Steve. Our family had so so many good times with Steve, Vanessa and their kids over the years. They really rocked the MV House for years… And are outstanding people with great character!! Also enjoyed driving past their house in MV and stopping to chat or waving hello, as they always sat out front greeting and waving at passerby people. So many great memories with Steve. He was so much fun and loved everyone. We are all truly blessed to know Steve and his family. My mother loved going to the MV house just to see and party with them back in the day. Our condolences to the family. Rest in Peace my friend.
Ryan Harlan says
Steve will be deeply missed! Our family would often stop by and shoot the breeze with him on our evening walks. Quite possibly one of the friendliest people I have ever met. Our daughters loved stopping by to talk with him, informing him of all the goings on within our house, showing him their Irish Dance routines, and just enjoying his company. Safe travels friend, We’ll see you on the other side! Marysville loves you!
Kevin Bartsch says
Jimmy, Chris and Family- Reading of your Dad’s passing sure brought back a lot of memories as kids! Particularly the great canoe adventure in Great Falls! Always enjoyed seeing him in his element running the multiple grills at the Marysville house interacting with people. He was a good one! Even for a Bobcat! 🙂 We’re thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Evy Burris Sass says
My condolences to Steve’s family. My memories go back to the 80s skiing at Belmont then down to the Marysville House to fellowship & eat a wonderful meal prepared by Steve. I fondly remember in the theater of my mind celebrating many hours of laughter & awesome food.. When I had out of town company I proudly took them up to Steve’s MV house for a unique dining experience. I gave Vanessa’s little girl my cowgirl hat with Blue feathers & she loved it. Lots of memories & Fun times. Farewell to all that have gone on before us. Amen. Evy.
Joyce Wilcox says
Oh the stories I could tell. On Sundays my friend and I would go to Marysville to join Steve for drinks and laughs (this was even before Vanessa) When we went snowmobiling, he left the back door open and we would load up on drinks and put money in the jar. Our friends from MN could not believe that Steve trusted us enough to do that. Ohhh, ohhh, I love that bar. Steve made us feel like family. He is an icon in Marysville and in our hearts. I was so sorry to hear of his passing just today. I would’ve come to the service for sure if I would’ve known
Kopper Dana says
Oh where do I begin with the wonderful memories!! Steve had such a big heart. Vanessa and I became best friends in high school in the girls smoker bathroom. 😝 A few years ago we were headed to MV and of course Steve knew. Lo and behold halfway up to MV here was Steve and Vanessa with a full bar set up in the back of their vehicle greeting us and of course Steve handed out cigars 🥰. When we went to party with them at MV, they would not let us pay for anything. So generous. Steve said to my son who was 9 at the time, you want yo earn some money? So he gave him a small apron and had him do dishes, clean tables and my son was in seventh heaven. You are missed Steve 🥰
Rogelio Moreno says
David Carrie sorry to hear of your dad’s passing my prayer go out to your family