"This summer I ordered and received, through Amazon.com, a copy of a Bible. In its opening note pages I found the signature of Pastor Paul S. Soukup. This 1971 Bible, in its particular translation, is something that I have been looking for, in a good copy, for MANY years. That I have one now, clearly well cared for, used by a man of God--who has been helpful in service and guidance to many people over the course of his ministry, and who has been a great patriarch with an amazing familial legacy--I gratefully accept the charge of cherishing, caring for, and continuing brother Paul's ministry. I attend a Church of Christ in a small southwest Texas town of near 10,000 people. I am a Christian University trained schoolteacher and and sometime-minister. God bless this family always. Danny André Dixon"
In loving memory of
Pastor Paul S. Soukup
November 9, 1941 - January 28, 2015
Madison - By the grace of God, Pastor Paul S. Soukup was received into the waiting arms of His Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 with his loving wife Sandra by his side. Paul was born on November 9th, 1941. The spiritual blessings of holy baptism became Paul's when he was baptized at Jambo Creek Lutheran Church in Gibson, Wisconsin four weeks after his birth. As the Lord nurtured Paul's faith he attended Northwestern Preparatory School in Watertown, WI graduating in 1959. Paul was joined in Christian marriage to Sandra M. Demsien on December 27th, 1959. He then attended Bethany Lutheran College and Mankato State College, MN attaining his bachelor's degree in 1963. He graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1967 with a Masters of Divinity.
The Lord graciously led Paul to serve as a Pastor of three congregations; St. Paul Lutheran of North Platte, NE; Mt. Olive Lutheran of Overland Park, KS; and Eastside Lutheran in Madison, WI. In addition to serving in the parish ministry Jesus blessed Paul with the privilege of serving His church as a Gift Planning Counselor for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod from 1990-2013. Grace upon grace was given Paul in his years of ministry as along the way he enjoyed being elected a member of two district mission boards, circuit pastor, and the board of Regents for Wisconsin Lutheran College as an organizer and presenter at various evangelism seminars with the WELS School Of Outreach.
Few things excited Paul more in life than sharing the free gift of salvation found in Jesus with other people. Even in dealing with various stages of prostate cancer throughout the last 20 years of his life Paul was grateful for all the opportunities Jesus gave him to ask nurses, doctors, and clinicians, "So what's your story?" followed with some form of "Can I tell you the story of Jesus?" Thank you Jesus for the honor given us all of sharing the joy of sins forgiven in Christ with others!
Paul is survived by his loving wife Sandra M. Demsien after 55 years of blessings in holy matrimony. Paul is also survived by his many children; Rev. Stephen P. (and Ellen) of Madison, WI; Thomas N. (and Robin) of Madison, WI; Rev. Timothy (and Gretchen) of Milwaukee, WI; Christopher D. (and Maria) of Chicago, IL; Kara D. Schroeder (and Rev. Christopher) of Santa, Ana, CA; wife of foster son, Sherri (Williams) Petri; one brother David (Luella), sister-in-law, Darlene (Dolly Scheuer); 16 grandchildren; Joseph (Amanda), Jacob (Rachel), Samuel; Amber (Benjamin), Kelsey (Enrique), Mitchell; Shawna (Victor), Justin (Natalie), Jordan (Aubrey), Cody; Anya, Nicholas, Theresa, Elena, Stephanie, Emily; 6 great grandchildren: Luke, Silas, Ethan, Benjamin, Keelea, Isabella; and many dear friends. Paul was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Mabel Soukup and a foster son Richard W. Williams.
Funeral services will be at EASTSIDE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2310 Independence Lane, Madison on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Glen Schmiege presiding and Rev. David Waege preaching. A visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 11:00 am until the time of the service. A private family interment will be held in Mishicot, WI the following day. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Paul to the WELS World Missions, N16 W23377 Stone Ridge Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188 or to Eastside Lutheran Church Window Fund, 2310 Independence Drive, Madison, WI 53704. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Agrace Hospice for the loving care and out of the way kindness that was given to Paul and our family. What a wonderful caring group of people you are. The Lord bless you!
Cress Funeral Home
3325 East Washington Ave.
Madison, Wisconsin
608-249-6666
www.cressfuneralservice.com
Tributes
"Being a close friend of his son's Tim and Tom I spent a lot of time with the family in the late 80's to mid 90's. It was such a joy to participate in the family gatherings. The Soukup family is certainly filled with love and fun!! Pastor Soukup will be missed in this world but I know God has welcomed his smile and humor with open arms in heaven."
"Inspiring, relevant and able to connect...that is how I remember my years (mid 80s)as a teenager at Eastside Lutheran with pastor Soukup. Many years have passed but I can still remember his infectious laugh and sense of humor... He was a wonderful pastor, teacher and example of what "preaching with passion" truly means. He will be remembered with a smile... â?º
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