Growing up in Marne, Michigan, Tim Sobie learned at an early age the valuable lessons of living in a small town atmosphere personal service, high standards and the quality of life. The farm and country life style in the Marne area prepared Tim for his eventual life calling as an expert butcher and sausage connoisseur. He first started to cut meat working for the Chesla family at the Marne Market and it was there that he learned the quintessential art of making homemade sausage.

Even though his butcher job took up most of his off-school hours, Tim also excelled in music and played trumpet and guitar in a variety/polka band with his brother and two sisters. As busy as he was, Tim still found time for a third interest when he met his future bride, Teresa Jordan, while playing at a dance at The Lexicon Club on the westside of Grand Rapids. Their romance blossomed into marriage and they had three children – Melissa, Tony and Jessica. They now boast of 10 grandchildren added to their happy family. As a young married couple raising three children, both Tim and Teresa worked full time jobs. Tim’s butcher experience led him to a similar job at Parkside Shop-Rite and then, back again, to the Marne Market. With the responsibility of a growing family, he decided to change occupations to a factory job at Stow/Davis (later known as Steelcase Wood). Meanwhile, Teresa held an office job at Hartford Insurance for 27 years.