Louis George Soppe

Louis George Soppe

Monticello

Louis George Soppe, 82, of Monticello, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Pennington Square Assisted Living on Sept. 25, 2022.

A public visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello. Kramer Funeral Home is assisting the family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Monticello. The Rev. Paul Baldwin will officiate.

Louis was born on Jan. 7, 1940, in Dyersville, Iowa. He was the oldest of nine children of Reynold and Albertha (Kelchen) Soppe. He attended school in Monticello until eighth grade, when he left to help out on the family farm and also worked for neighboring farmers. He later earned his GED and attended the police academy.

In 1973, Louis began working for the Monticello Police Department, becoming Chief of Police in the early 1990s. Louis, better known as Louie around Monticello, dedicated his life to the community. He loved people and enjoyed being known around town and teasing everyone he met. He retired in 2003 after 29 years on the force.

Prior to his career with the police department, Louis enjoyed a variety of employment opportunities. He also drove a school bus for the Monticello Community School District for many years and served on the Monticello Fire Department from 1973-1996. He was a faithful member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello, Iowa.

In 1960, Louis married Anna Tuel and they had four children. They later divorced.

On Dec. 21, 1991, Louis married the love of his life, Jerilyn (Jeri) King-Soppe. The two enjoyed camping, traveling and spending time with family.

Louis is survived by his four children, Gayle (Gary) Reeder of Delhi, Bryan (Kathy) Soppe of Ankeny, Lou Ann Soppe of Cedar Rapids and Curtis Soppe of Monticello; his siblings, Connie (George) Helle of Anamosa, Leo (Donna) Soppe of Cascade, Diane (Al) Nerney of Oxford Junction, Carol Oberbroeckling of Farley and Deborah Steger of Dyersville; brother-in-law, Dave Holz of Dubuque, and sister in-law, Doris Soppe of Dyersville. He also is survived by nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeri; his parents; his brothers, Andrew and Loras Soppe; sister, Beverly Holz; brothers-in-law, Bill Oberbroeckling and John Steger; and sister-in-law, Erma Soppe.

Online condolences may be submitted, and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.