Alvin (Al) Soukup

alvin (al) soukup

Alvin F. Soukup, 85, of Fargo passed away in the early morning hours of October 30, 2013 at home in Fargo after a short battle with lung cancer.

Soukup was born October 4, 1928 on a farm near Lankin in Walsh County, North Dakota, to Edward and Margaret Soukup. He attended Lankin High School and after graduation enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served in Japan as a ground crew chief for a B-29 during the Korean War. After completion of his service overseas, he was a member of the North Dakota Air National Guard for six years.

After his service was completed, he graduated from Dakota Business College and then began a 34-year career with Northwestern Bell, with most of those years as the security officer for North Dakota. During his telephone career, Soukup served as a member of the N.D. Attorney General Security Advisory Group, was a past president of the North Central Crime Conference and was a longtime member of the Telephone Pioneers.

Soukup was an active member of the Fargo Knights of Columbus, the VFW, the Elks Club and the American Legion.

After retirement from the phone company, beginning in 1989, Soukup served five terms in the North Dakota House of Representatives, as a Republican for the 44th District in North Fargo. During his tenure in the House, he was Vice-Chairman of the Political Sub-Division Committee and was a member of the Industry, Business and Labor Committee.

Soukup married Evelyn Ukestad of Fargo in December 1953 and they made their home in Fargo. They raised six children, all of whom attended Holy Spirit Grade School, Fargo Shanley High School and North Dakota State University. He was a longtime school board member at Holy Spirit, and was active at Shanley, serving as a member of the school board, the Shanley Grow Club and the Athletic Club. He was also one of the founding members of the Roger Maris Golf tournament; He was inducted into the Shanley Quarterback Club Hall of Fame in 1983.

In later years, he and is wife divided their time between a lake home on Turtle Lake near Cormorant, MN and Lake Havasu City, AZ. While in Arizona, Soukup was a volunteer in the emergency room at the Regional Hospital. He was also a longtime volunteer at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. While at the lake, he enjoyed fishing and boating with his many grandchildren. He was also an avid hunter with his sons and grandsons.

Soukup is survived by his wife Evelyn (Fargo), his children Al (Lori) Soukup (Stillwater, MN), Mike (Hudson, WI), Kathy Cicora (Joe) (Chicago, IL), Nancy Tufto (Kris) (Chaska, MN), Greg (Dawn) (Palos Heights, IL) and Scott (Rockford, MN).

Other survivors include 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, a brother John (Fargo ND) and sister Marge Hodny (Grafton, ND).

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Presentation Sisters of Fargo, The Roger Maris Cancer Center of Fargo, and Hospice of the Red River Valley.  

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  1. Rapid City SDEvelyn, Scott and Soukup Family~
    My mom called to tell me that Al had passed away. I am so sorry for each of you!
    I remember growing up with you guys as our neighbors, going to school together with you Scott, and Al being Santa Claus!! He even came over one year as Santa to our house and surprised us when I was in college and we had such a great time because of him! He was always smiling and so sweet! Always a kind, humorous, helpful and caring man was Al Soukup!
    All of the years I have known you Scott, (even since we were just little kids) I have always thought that you have had your dad’s great smile and charming personality-what a blessing he has left in you!!
    My heart is just breaking for each of you! I know that he will be with you always!! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!
    Linda (Michaelson) Schacher

  2. Hawley MN
    Evie and family,
    As time goes by, know you will continue to be in our prayers. We will miss Al, his guidance, his obvious love for you and his willingness to help ANYONE in need.
    We will miss seeing him floating on the lake when he was out fishing. Your family is special-a wonderful example to all who knows you.
    Blessings, Gene and Sue Boyle

  3. Venice FloridaDear Evie and family…
    Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Al was a wonderful husband and father. I send you my deepest sympathy!

    Jan (formerly Deilke) Gerlach

  4. Bismarck ND
    Evie,
    You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers in your loss of a dear man.
    Ron and Neva Carlisle

  5. Elgin IlGreg
    My mother just called to tell me of the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Al was always so caring and inviting, a real pleasant gentleman to be around. I ran in to him last September when I was home, of all places, Shanley football game where he still brought a smile to my face. God bless and keep the memories.
    Cindy

  6. Chanhassen MN
    – Minnesota
    We are friends of Nancy and Kris Tufto. All our most sincere condolences to the entire Al Soukup family at this difficult time. May you all feel God’s Healing Hands as you remember the great times you spent with this great man. God’s Peace to you all.

  7. Greg and Nancy

    I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your father one of the “greatest generation.” Please know you are in my prayers.

    With sympathy,

    Bob Greving

  8. Nancy and Chris, so very sorry about the loss of your father. Nancy, your dad had such a great smile and such a love for you. I know he will be missed by so many. Take care and know you are in our prayers. Kathy, Jeff, Michael, Andrew and Patrick Witzmann

  9. Moorhead MN
    My sympathies to the family of Al Soukup. We will miss Al sincerely at Sanford South University Hospital. I am very impressed with reading all of Al’s accomplishments in his lifetime. I did not know that he had done so much, he never bragged. He was so kind and humble and always smiling. I enjoyed visiting with him and he brought me some pickled Northern and also baked some great cookies for us ! God bless his Soul ! Gregory/Security Officer.

  10. Fargo ndHaving served with Al in the legislature I recall not only the votes but the days we both attended seminars about Catholic Social Teaching. It was nice to have common ground to work in as Al had a positive concern for society. My condolences to his family. Senator Tim Mathern

  11. Underwood NdAl was always a pleasure to serve with. I considered him a good friend. I am sorry to hear of his passing.

  12. Montgomery TexasWe were greatly sorrowed to hear of Al’s passing — a friend and neighbor for so many years.

    Our prayers are with Evie and the family during this most difficult time.

    Jeanette and Dean Guttormson

  13. Peoria IllinoisDear Soukup family, Please know of my deep love and fervent prayers for all of you during this time. May God surround you with His arms of love and bring you peace. I will always, always remember Al with great love.
    Love,
    Mary Jo

  14. Fargo ND
    Evie & family-you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    It was a treat to call Al a friend, and to follow him in the House of Representatives. Getting to sit in the same seat in the chamber that Al occupied was a special honor. He was a great public servant, and an even better human being.

  15. St. Paul Minnesota
    Evie, Kathy and the whole family — what a terrific life Al had, and what a wonderful friend he was. We’ll all miss him, and we share your loss.


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