MONICA SOUKUP

Funeral Mass for Monica Soukup of Wagner was Monday, November18atSt.John’sCatholic Church in Wagner. Burial was in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner was in charge of arrangements.

Monica R. Soukup, 79 passed away on November 14, 2019 at the Wagner Good Samaritan Center in Wagner.

She was born on July 15, 1940 in Wagner to Wes and Esther (Mach) Payer. She graduated from Wagner High School in 1957, followed by one year of study at Mount Marty College in Yankton.

Monie married John R. Soukup of Wagner on June 8, 1959. They lived in Wagner for a short time before settling on the family farm south of Wagner in 1962. She and John were blessed with five children: Jonna (Dan) Soulek, Armour, Sally (Kevin) Florey, Lake Andes, Steve (Sandy) Soukup, Lakeville MN, Amy (Russell) Bruney, Inlet Beach, FL, and Kelly (Melissa) Soukup, Lakeville, MN.

Monie worked in various bookkeeping positions during the early years of their marriage. When her children were older, she accepted a position as the Head Librarian at the Wagner Public Library, a position she enjoyed for 25 years until retirement.

Monie was a faithful, loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was an accomplished cook and baker, and was well known for her famous popcorn balls, dumplings and kolaches. She loved gardening, both in her vegetable and flower gardens. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles and working in her puzzle books. She was an expert at jigsaw puzzles, and no puzzle was too challenging for her to tackle.

In her retirement years, Monie was able to travel with John on many scenic bus trips across the country, and visited such places as Washington DC, Seattle, New Orleans, California, and Alaska. In her later years, she became an avid Facebook user, following the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Monie is survived by her husband John, her five children, and thirteen grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Marla Soukup, brothers Wally and Jim Payer, sisters-in-law Ann Doty, Martha Tomko and Marcella Stoltenberg.

Monie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers-in-law Steve, Frank and Leo Soukup, Richard Doty, Richard Tomko and Dean Stoltenberg, as well as sisters-in-law Raye Payer and Joan Soukup.