Francis "Lob" Joseph Soukup, 84, of Wagner

*** Update: There will be no wake service for Francis Sunday, January 14, 2024 at St. Vincent's Catholic Church due to the weather. As scheduled his Celebration of Life will be 10:30 AM, January 15, 2024 at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Springfield followed by Military Honors. Peters Funeral Home of Wagner is in charge of arrangements.  ***

On December 30, 2023, Francis "Lob" Joseph Jacob Soukup completed his life's journey. 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 on September 22, 1939, in Wagner, South Dakota, 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 & Emilee (Hanthorn) & daughter Rylee Soukup, Rachel & Greg and children: Lance, Abegael & Lilyanna Odens, and Alex & Tiffany (Wynia) & 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.