James Soukup

James Soukup, age 93 of Decorah, Iowa died on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at his son’s home, rural Waukon, IA of natural causes. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 30, 2018 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, IA with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue in Decorah and also after 9:30 a.m. at the church on Monday morning. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.James Carl Soukup was born on October 16, 1924 on a farm between Spillville and Protivin, the eldest son of Carl and Regina (Woldan) Soukup. He attended Sumner #1 country school near his home and helped on the family farm prior to volunteering for the U.S. Navy in 1944. James was a Seabee in the Navy, stationed in the Aleutian Islands for much of his tenure operating maintainers and bulldozers. He enjoyed telling the story of ascending a volcano on the island with three buddies and a sheet of tin so that they could slide down toboggan-style. It apparently was more exciting than expected, and only the tin arrived all the way at the bottom of the peak. Upon his discharge in 1946, James began farming on a property about a mile west of home, and on April 21, 1948 married Mary Andera at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. James and Mary raised grain, cattle, hogs, and chickens over the years, until retiring in 1989. They sold the farm and moved into a house they built in Decorah shortly thereafter. James loved playing cards and was well-known for can picking along the roadways of Decorah, which netted him exercise and a little spending money. He and Mary also greatly enjoyed traveling with friends to Czechoslovakia and on several bus tours of the United States.Survivors include three children: Diane (Peter) Kriener, Ft. Atkinson, IA; Karen (Darrel) North, Krum, TX; and Todd (Jan) Soukup, Waukon, IA; daughter-in-law: Lesley Harwood, Richland , WA; nine grandchildren: Deb (Kerri) Langreck, St. Lucas, IA; Arlen (Annette) Kriener, Ft. Atkinson, IA; Jeremy (Samantha) Kriener, Ft. Atkinson, IA; Denise (Kurt) Zirtzman, Ryan, IA; Sara (fiancé Jake Shaw) Kriener, Nora Springs, IA; Lisa (Steve) Nelson, West Branch, IA; Jesse (fiance Emily Hobbs) Soukup, West Branch, IA; Daren (Amber) North, The Colony, TX; and Shonda (Scott) Walthall, Haltom City, TX; granddaughter-in-law Kaiya Kriener, Ft. Atkinson, IA; twelve great-grandsons; four sisters-in-law: Marcella Soukup, Calmar, IA; Doris Andera, Ft. Atkinson, IA, Darlene Andera, Spillville, IA, and Janet Andera, Cresco, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.James was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 2011; his parents, Carl and Regina (Woldan) Soukup; one son, John; two grandchildren, Annette and Peter Kriener; and one brother, Marvin Sr.James’ family would like to express their deep appreciation to the staff of Hospice of Winneshiek County for their care and attention during his illness, and to friends who generously brought gifts of food and companionship. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Winneshiek County, or St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in James’ name.