Matilda Tillie Soukup

In Memory Of
Matilda "Tillie" Soukup

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2017 at the United Church of Christ in Friend with Pastor Dave Coleman officiating. Interment will be in Andrew Cemetery, Friend. Visitation will be on Thursday from 1 to 8 pm with the family receiving friends from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend and one hour prior to service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Dorchester American Legion Auxiliary, the United Church of Christ in Friend, or to the families choice.

Matilda "Tillie" Soukup, was born November 9, 1924 on a farm southeast of Friend, Nebraska to Joe and Matilda (Divoky) Ladman, the fourth of seven children and lived in Saline County most of her life. Tillie passed away on Monday, January 2, 2017 at the Tabitha Nursing Home in Crete at the age of 92 years, one month and 24 days. She graduated from the 8th grade of Country School District 42, attended Crete High School and later graduated from Black Beauty Academy in Lincoln. After WWII broke out, Tillie worked at the Fairmont Creamery and Crete Mills.

On February 21, 1946, she was united in marriage to Leonard Mika and resided on a farm for four years. They had three daughters, Darlene, Beverly and Linda. In 1950, they moved to Tobias and owned a bar and cafe. In 1957, they moved to Friend where she worked for her brother-in-law, Ray Mika at Mika's Place and later at Cal and Marge's bar.

In 1961, Tillie married Clarence Engel and a son, Dennis, was added to her family. In 1964, she started working at Warren Memorial Hospital as a med aid and retired after 27 years. After retiring, Tillie volunteered as a hospice worker for more than 10 years and she loved taking care of the elderly. She also worked with Food Net and continued to assist with activities at Warren Memorial Hospital. Clarence died in 1983. Tillie married Arnold "Arnie" Soukup in 1990 and they made their home in Dorchester until Arnie passed away in 1998. She continued to live in Dorchester until 2009, when she moved to the Friendship Terrace in Friend and then to the Friend Manor in October of 2012. In March of 2016, when the Manor closed, Tillie moved to Tabitha in Crete.

Tillie loved to dance, play cards and did a lot of traveling. Most of all she loved her family, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. As long as she was able, she attended most of their sports activities, baby-sat and often transported them to school.

Tillie was a member of the United Church of Christ in Friend and Women's Fellowship. She was also a member of Lincoln Czechs of Nebraska and ZCBJ Lodge #74. Tillie became an active member of Dorchester American Legion Auxiliary in 1990 and served as president for several years. She was a member of the WANNANOT of Dorchester.

She is survived by her children and spouses, Darlene and David Rasplicka, Friend, Beverly and Jon Cawley, Seattle, WA, Linda Hardin, Muscatine, IA, and Dennis and Tammy Engel, Shawnee, KS, eight grandchildren and spouses, Donna Jensen and special friend, Kelly Bolte, Darin Rasplicka, Bryan and Aimee Hardin, Travis Hardin, Lisa Cawley, Michelle and Travis Haagen, Jake Engel and fiance, Amy Inman, and Jessica Engel, nine great-grandchildren, Jared, Jordan and Jason Jensen, Ashton Rasplicka, Alicia, Hailee and Brayden Hardin, Claire Haagen, Kaitlyn and Luke Inman-Engel, sisters-in-law, Betty Soukup, Lincoln, and Ellen Vossler, Inland, NE, several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tillie was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Leonard Mika, Clarence Engel and Arnold Soukup, brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe and Shirley Ladman, Ed Ladman, Ray and Doris Ladman, sisters and brothers-in-law, Ella and Jim Vagrt, Albie and Clarence Hoffman, Irene and Joe Kudelka, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ray and Mary Mika, Les and Dorothy Engel, Ray and Ruth Engel, Ben and Frances Engel, Howard and Inez Jesse, Charles and Irene Philip, Clarence and Aline Smith, Viola Luke, Fred and Helen Vossler, Ray Soukup and Rubye Prokop. with family greeting friends and relatives from 4:30-6:30 pm SERVICES Visitation Thursday, January 05, 2017
1:00 PM - 8:00 PM Lauber Moore Funeral Home - Friend
814 Maple Street
Friend, Nebraska 68359 with family greeting friends and relatives from 4:30-6:30 pm Funeral Service Friday, January 06, 2017
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM United Church of Christ
639 2nd Street
Friend, NE 68359 Graveside Service Friday, January 06, 2017
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Andrew Cemetery
County Road E and 600
Friend, NE 68359