LEO SOUKUP

Funeral Mass for Leo Soukup, 84, of Wagner was held Tuesday, October 10 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Wagner. Burial was in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Wagner. Peters Funeral Home of Wagner was in charge of arrangements.

Leo James Soukup passed away October 3, 2023, at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls at the age of 84. He was born August 4, 1939 to James and Lillian (Dolezal) Soukup. He was raised and worked on his family's homestead outside of Wagner until he graduated from Wagner High in 1957. Shortly after graduation, Leo moved to Omaha to work road construction with the Corn Husker Paving Company. From 1963-1965 Leo was a SP. 4 in the US Army and while stationed in Middletown, CA where he met his future wife, Betty. They were married in Calistoga, CA in 1965 and then settled in Hayward, CA, where he worked as a pre-fab ironworker for Herrick Corporation for 23 years and on a bus assembly line at Gillig Corporation for five years. In 1993 Leo returned to Wagner, where he took various jobs such as Bingo Caller at the Fort Randall Dam Casino, maintenance/desk clerk at Super 8 Motel in Wagner, paper carrier for the Wagner Post, maintenance for Fort Randall Telephone Company, Wagner School, St. John's Catholic Church, and stocker at Buche's Foods.

Lo was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector at St. John's Catholic Church where he also sang in the choir and the Bon Homme Community Cantata. He was proud to be a volunteer for several years at the Wagner Food Pantry.

Leo was a friend to everyone and could strike up a conversation with strangers! He was a loving family man, a hard worker, and a person you could rely on when in need. Leo enjoyed bowling and had a video game collection that would make any child envious. During the holidays, his Christmas decorations were a feast to the Wagner Community's eyes and he was complimented often for his grand displays.

Leo leaves behind Betty, his wife of 58 years; daughters: Ellen (Terry) Locke of Chandler, AZ and Rhonda Soukup of Hayward, CA; grandsons: Dustin (Alison) Locke of San Tan Valley, AZ and Reagan Locke of Chandler, AZ; great-grandaughter Avery Mae; sisters: Arlene Thaler of North Carolina, Carol Coleman of Texas, Patty Harkrider of Washington, Judy (John) Den Ouden of Avon; many cousins, nephews and nieces; and beloved dogs: Sheba and Princess.