John Soukup Jr.

JOHN SOUKUP JR.

Riverside

John Joseph Soukup Jr., 92, of rural Riverside, died March 16, 2017, at Atrium Village Care Center, Hills, with his wife and other family members at his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 20, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hills, with Father Michael Spiekermeier officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, March 19, at the church from 4 to 6 p.m., with a rosary at 4 p.m. and a vigil at 6 p.m. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Hills, with military honors by Riverside VFW Post 6414.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Courageous or St. Jude Children's Hospital.

He was born Dec. 14, 1924, in Riverside, Iowa, and grew up in the family home on the edge of Riverside. His parents were John Joseph Soukup Sr. and Anna VonDrasek Soukup.

He graduated from Riverside High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served as a medical service corpsman on bases in Texas, Nebraska and Colorado. He received his honorable discharge at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colo., in November 1946.

One month later, on Christmas Eve, 1946, John proposed to his wife of almost 70 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Kiefer. They were married in Richmond, Iowa, on Sept. 13th, 1947, and acquired a farm from John's father between Riverside and Hills, where they raised seven children. John was a fourth-generation farmer and also worked for 22 years at the University of Iowa Physical Plant. He was a member of St Joseph's Catholic Church in Hills for almost 70 years.

John very much enjoyed family gatherings, including fishing trips to Wisconsin lakes with children and grandchildren. He also was a big fan of Iowa Hawkeye sports.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and all of his brothers and sisters: Harry, Alvin, Bob, Dorothy Erbe and Alma Soukup. He also was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Duane Schnoebelen.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; children, Larry (Bobbie) of Nathrop, Colo., Steven (Debra) of Helotes, Texas, James (Bonnie) of Bothell, Wash., Cindi Schnoebelen of Riverside, Richard of Iowa City, Patricia (Gregory) Hunt of Riverside and Christopher Kramer of Cedar Rapids; 18 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; along with nieces, nephews and other relatives.

The family would like to thank the staff of Atrium Village in Hills and especially Chasidie Fogg for their kind and committed care.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.