FRANCIS SOUKUP

Francis “Lob” Joseph Soukup, 84, of Wagner died Saturday, December 30, 2023 at his home south of Wagner. A Celebration of Francis’s Life will be held Monday, January 15 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Springfield, followed by Military Honors. Visitation will be at the church Sunday, January 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by a Rosary/ Wake service at 5 p.m. Peters Funeral Home of Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Francis “Lob' Joseph Jacob Soukup completed his life's journey December 30, 2023. He passed at his home near the mouth of the Choteau Creek, surrounded by those who loved him at the age of 84.

Francis was born into this world September 22, 1939, in Wagner, to Albert and Viola (Fincke) Soukup. He grew up farming in different locations south of Wagner. He attended Tabor Boarding School for his elementary education and graduated from Marty High School. He joined the US Navy in 1960, served onboard the destroyer USS Saufley (DD 465) and was honorably discharged in 1964 with the rank of Fire Control Technician 2nd Class.

In 1969, he attended Brown Institute of Technology in Minneapolis for electronics. He continued to live and work in Minneapolis where in 1972, he met the love of his life, Louann Schollmeyer. They were joined in marriage April 27, 1974 at St. John's Catholic Church in Wagner. Their blessed union would create five children who were raised with love, farming and ranching on the Choteau Creek. He was a long time member of the Rouse township board, served terms on the Wagner Community School Board, taught many religious education classes, and in recent years took part in the American Legion Honor Guard. Until later in life, he never truly retired.

Throughout his life, Francis was known for his outgoing personality. Some say he was blessed (some say cursed) with the gift of gab. He always enjoyed visiting, whether it was with his many friends, neighbors, family, or oftentimes complete strangers. He enjoyed nature whether he was hunting, fishing, ranching, farming, mowing, or blading. He was an avid reader of all things, sometimes finishing three to four books in a week. He had a desire to learn about all that was as well as current events. He also liked to experience knowledge first hand and traveled extensively through his life.

Later in life he often proclaimed that his greatest sorrow was not being around to watch his grandchildren grow up.

He is survived by his wife Louann; children and grandchildren: Anthony and daughter Isabella Soukup, Adam and Emilee (Hanthorn) and daughter Rylee Soukup, Rachel and Greg and children: Lance, Abegael and Lilyanna Odens, and Alex and Tiffany (Wynia) and daughter Raylynn Soukup; his siblings: Albert J. Soukup, Christina Taylor, and Katherine Bader; and many others he loved as his own children and grandchildren.

He will be greeted in Heaven by his parents Albert and Voila and his daughter Sara Soukup.