Jerry Soukup

Jerry Soukup should have been a statistic, but he wasn't. He was resilient! His strong sense of right and wrong, honesty, intelligence, tolerance and hard work helped him survive a difficult childhood as well as growing up in a difficult time. Jerry was born in 1932 during the Great Depression and the worst drought in US history. He remembered the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and President Roosevelt's announcement of US entry into World War II on his 9th birthday. Later in life, he would enjoy watching movies and accounts of this time and was humbled when he got to visit Pearl Harbor. He told stories of growing up in "The Hollow", fishing in the Wisconsin River, adventures with his siblings and neighbors including being buried alive in a sand cave, and a darker side that included abuse. Jerry was forever grateful for the people that shaped his life: his Aunt Fern that taught him to take care of people over "stuff", Orville that got him his first job at the Mint Café, classmate that brought him lunch every day after discovering he brought a block of wood, not food, in his lunch bag, as well as others. These experiences and his outgoing personality would shape his ability to connect with people throughout his life. He never met a stranger he wouldn't go up to meet.

After high school, Jerry completed a Residential Design degree at the technical college and then enlisted in the army. He was proud of his time served at Fort Ord, CA and Camp Hanford, WA. In later years, he would share stories and tell how grateful he was for the experiences. Even during segregated times, Jerry stood up for what was right and created awareness that his fellow black soldiers deserved to be waited on in a local restaurant. He would personally thank every veteran he met and make a point to reach out if he saw one wearing a hat or uniform throughout his life. He was honored to fly the 2017 Honor Flight and continued welcoming subsequent flights home.

What truly was special about Jerry was his ability to listen and relate to people. He truly cared and often reached out to those that were hurting or weren't seen. He would do simple acts of kindness always! Even at 90, he would help someone pick up spilled groceries in a parking lot, buy a meal for a veteran, give a dollar or toy car to a random child... because he could! He loved teaching and it came naturally. Although Jerry started off in Architecture, he ended up switching to teaching (he blamed Sputnik because the government offered incentives to become a math teacher). It was fate! Teaching was his calling, and he was ahead of his time. He brought real life scenarios, hands-on projects and math games into the classroom. He would go on to teach 7-8th grade math in Seymour, Richland Center and Nekoosa Wisconsin. Jerry also enjoyed teaching others outside of the classroom sharing his passion for fishing, coin collecting and art with multiple generations.

It was his first year teaching that he met the love of his life, Harriet Conger, teaching across the hall. They would marry the next year and create a beautiful life together, as they balanced each other well and would remain married until Harriet's passing in 2020. Their three children; Tanya, David and Trika, feel truly blessed at the childhood they were given and the love and support that continued into adulthood. Jerry would make up stories every night based on characters or animals the kids would choose. He organized games in the neighborhood and refereed, coached or just cheered everyone on. He wasn't gender biased and empowered girls to be their best in sports or whatever they chose! He made a sandbox in the basement and put a pool table on the other end to keep kids entertained even in winter. Jerry and Harriet taught respect for ALL people, animals, the environment and the things around us. They loved spending time with family at the lake! Most of all, Jerry and Harriet made kids feel seen, heard and loved. That was never lacking!

Jerry loved storytelling, fishing, rowing a boat, coin collecting, playing games (every night), working outside even into his 90's, history and drawing. He ran clubs at school and spoke at schools and senior centers in his retirement. Those that knew him during his working years probably remember him walking to work each day (he didn't learn to drive until his 40's not having had a car growing up) and always sharing a smile and hello. Jerry and Harriet loved spreading joy by dressing up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus during the holidays. In retirement, he was the old man in the rowboat with the squeaky oars that talked to bald eagles. In his 80's, he took up drawing portraits of family and friends. At 90, he gave his great-granddaughters lessons on how coins were made and graded. He rode from Wisconsin to Montana to California to see the redwoods and take the first vacation as a family outside of the Northwoods. Although he struggled with hearing, he would always wave, say hello and "Bye-Bye now" when video chatting with his kids and great-granddaughters. Children would always hold a special place in his heart.

Jerry was a good kind human! He made a positive difference in this world and never let his beginning define him. Jerry and Harriet made this world a better place by celebrating and seeing the potential in ALL humans. We celebrate that they are together again and hope to carry on their legacy.

There will be a Celebration of Harriet and Jerry Soukup's Lives on April 26, 2025 (Harriet's birthday) at the First Congregational Church UCC, 311 2nd Street, Wisconsin Rapids from 1:00-3:00.

Helke Funeral Home is service Jerry's family