Leonard Soukup

Leonard Soukup, age 97, of Cresco (formerly of Ridgeway), IA died on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, with Rev. Robert Gross presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be after 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. There will be a rosary at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning before the visitation.  Leonard Joseph Soukup was born on May 30, 1922 the son of Joseph and Emma (Samec) Soukup on the family farm near Ridgeway, IA. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, IA. He attended country school through eighth grade and then farmed with his family on their farm near Ridgeway. Leonard married Ellen Tekippe on October 23, 1946 and together they had ten children. He and Ellen farmed together until their sons were old enough to take over so Leonard could work other jobs painting, white washing and carpentry work. He was 89 years old before he finally gave up his painting business. Leonard enjoyed music and dancing, playing cards, visiting, reading and keeping up on current events, watching westerns and Bonanza and he loved chocolate. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Leonard is survived by his children: Mary Ellen (Sheldon) Praska, Cresco, IA; Margaret (Al Arp) Soukup, Astoria, OR; Madonna (Mike) Dunn, Georgetown, TX; Leonard R. Soukup, Cresco, IA; Dr. M. Julia (Drew) Casner, Ridgeway, IA; Lawrence (Lori) Soukup, Ridgeway, IA; Lonnie (Luann) Soukup, Ridgeway, IA; Melanie (Aaron) Boor, Jewell, IA; Melinda (Mike) Bielefeld, Lime Springs, IA and Les Soukup, Ridgeway, IA. Grandchildren: CJ (Christine) Kolek, Tary (Brenda) Kolek, Devyn (Matt) Matthias, Mindy Myers, Lyn Benson, Megan McClaughlin, Michael Dunn, Michaela Dunn, Veronica Juneau, Jessica (Tim) Craft, Larah (Mark) Webb, Meagan (Dr. Aditya) Devalapalli, Landon Soukup, Erin (Tyler) Plein, Amy (Elliot) Evanson, Kaitlyn Boor, MacKenzie Boor, Emma (Kyle) Wentzel, Dana Boor, Chris (Michelle) Boor, Tyson Wallis, Latrice (Kyle) Sindelar, Alexis (Dalton) Skillings along with twenty great-grandchildren. Brother-in-law: Joe (Janet) Tekippe, Sherrill, IA. Sister-in-law: Roseanne Nienhaus, Decorah, IA and many nieces and nephews. Leonard was preceded in death by his wife: Ellen. Parents: Joseph and Emma (Samec) Soukup. Daughter-in-law: Lorie Soukup. Granddaughter: Nicole Soukup. Sisters: Loretta (Joe) Maroushek; Irene (Ed) Hron. Father and mother-in-law: Alois and Grace (Smith) Tekippe. Brothers-in-law: Benedict (Luella) Tekippe; Francis (Betty) Tekippe and Ray Nienhaus.