SPARTA-Edward J. Soukup, 79, of Sparta, died on Monday, January 6, 2025 at Serenity House in Tomah. He was born in the Black River Falls area on April 23, 1945 to Joseph and Lillian (Marousek) Soukup. He grew up in Melrose on the family farm and graduated from Melrose High School.
After high school, Edward drove truck and then moved to Milwaukee, and started working for the Telephone Company. He married Doris Osgood on September 23, 1967 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Black River Falls. They moved to Sparta in 1977.
Edward retired in 2007. He was a member of the Sparta Lions and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he ushered and counted money. He enjoyed golf, fishing, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.
Edward is survived by his wife, Doris of Sparta; children, Becky (Kent) Nye of Woodbury, MN, and Vikki Soukup of Andover, MN; granddaughters, Sarah Janikowski and Jessica Nye of Woodbury; great-granddaughter, Gianna Johnson of Woodbury; siblings, Marion Reavis of Burlington, WI, Tom Soukup of Redondo Beach, CA, Donald (Patty) Soukup of Ft. Collins, CO; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lillian; and brother-in-law, Jerald Reavis.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Eric Berns officiating. Burial will be in Melrose Cemetery, Melrose.
A Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Friday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in his name. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
