Souhrada, Hope Caroline Lidke

Hope Caroline Lidke Souhrada died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010. Celebration of Life Services for Hope will be at 11:30 a.m. today at Immanual Lutheran Church, 305 Second Ave. W., Cresco. Visitation will be heldfrom 10 to 11:30 a.m., before the service, at the church. Lunch will follow the service.

She is survived by her daughter, Janel Stephens; son, Dave (Cherie); four granddaughters, Susan Callaway (Paul), Sara Kotrba (Bill), Robin Souhrada (Dave Rogers) and Emilie Souhrada (Jon Chamberlain); and one grandson, Jim Souhrada and Brenda Souhrada.

Her beloved great-grandchildren are Zachary and Shelby Souhrada-Rogers, Savannah Callaway, Calvin and Mary Kotrba and Wiley Souhrada.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John in 2002; and by her son-in-law, Dave Stephens in 2009.

She was born on June 25, 1919, to Herman and Ruth (Davis) Lidtke at Old Town in Lime Springs, Iowa. She married John J. Souhrada Jr. on Sept. 19, 1936, at the age of 17. They farmed and raised a family near Lime Springs, celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary in 2001.

The most important part of Hope's life was her relationship with her God and her family. She cared deeply about the people in her life and shared an abundance of love with family, extended family and friends. Her greatest joy was being in the presence of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Hope and her husband, John, created the Souhrada Wildlife Preserve near Davis Corners. Hope loved reading and learning, striving always to deepen her faith and find meaning through books, articles and favorite authors. She was active in the church, serving in various offices and volunteering for educational positions.

One of her missions in life was to improve understanding of Native American culture, as well as to improve conditions and education for Native American citizens. She was instrumental in the formation of the Native American (Indian) Concerns Committee at Immanual Lutheran in 1979. This started the relationship between Immanual Lutheran and the Pine Ridge Ministries which continues today.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Hope's memory to the Pine Ridge Retreat Center (Lutheran Lakota Shared Ministries) or Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, Iowa, is handling the arrangements.