Edward "Spud" Soukup

Edward H. "Spud" Soukup, age 96 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Divine Providence Community Home. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 25, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel, with Knights of Columbus Rosary at 3:30 pm and a prayer service at 3:45 pm prior to the visitation. Visitation will continue on Friday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church - North Entrance in Sleepy Eye. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye. The clergy will be Fr. Craig Timmerman. Interment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Edward Henry Soukup was born on December 29, 1928, in Stark Township, Brown County to Joseph and Mary (Lang) Soukup, the youngest of seven children. He was given the nickname "Spud" by his older brothers. This enduring name stayed with him his entire life. Spud attended country school and later St. Mary's High School in Sleepy Eye.

He met the love of his life, Patricia Sellner at a dance, and they were united in marriage on October 17, 1955, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Their union blessed them with three children whom they raised together on the family farm. Spud and Pat were a team for nearly 67 years. They were often thought of as two peas in a pod, even finishing each other's sentences.

Spud lost his right hand in a corn picker accident in the fall of 1958. This traumatic event did not deter his farming career. With the help of his faithful partner Pat, they continued to work the family farm, side by side.

In his earlier years, Spud also worked for Cal Pack and drove pea truck for Dutch Cook. He was a Stark Township assessor for six years. After retiring from farming, he worked at Sleepy Eye Auction Market, Schutz Foods and painted many farm buildings and houses.

He had a passion for fishing, duck, goose and deer hunting, participating well into his 80's. Whenever the opportunity arose, you would find him outdoors enjoying nature. A huge vegetable garden was planted yearly with produce being shared among family and friends. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren brought him countless smiles and immense joy.

Spud was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. His faith was very important to him. He cherished being able to attend daily mass and say the rosary while at Divine Providence Community Home.

He is survived by his children, Pam (Paul) Penkert of New Ulm, Deb (Pat) Buley of Mankato, and Tom (Ed Sepich) Soukup of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Joey (Kim) Penkert, Jeremy (Katie) Penkert, Chelsey (Jay) Hoffmann, Riley (Samantha) Buley; great grandchildren, Carter & Avery Penkert, Blaine, Beckett & Baylor Penkert, Everett & Lincoln Hoffmann, Elton & soon to be born baby girl Buley; sisters-in-law, Barb Mielke of Brookings, SD, Mary Sellner of Rosemount; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Patricia; brothers, Sylvester (Connie), Elmer (Hildegard), Victor & Harold; and sisters, Lorraine (Art) Pelzel & Lucille (Maurice) Simonsen.  

Spud will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A special thank you to the staff at Divine Providence Community Home, Sleepy Eye Medical Center, Countryside Retirement Community and Redwood Falls Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.