Rosemary Soukup

Rosemary E. Soukup

March 11, 1936 – June 17, 2025

Rosemary Ellen Soukup, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on June 17, 2025, at the age of 89. She was born on March 11, 1936, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Holger and Sophia (Kuncel) Hansen.

Rosemary was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with strong faith and convictions. She was married to the love of her life, Paul J. Soukup, for 58 years. Rosemary grew up as one of seven sisters while living in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from St. Wenceslaus Catholic High School in 1954 and Mount Mercy College in 1956. Rosemary and Paul married on August 4, 1956, and soon started their family. The family moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1974 and then later to North Kansas City, Missouri in 1986. Rosemary attended Park College (now Park University) in nearby Parkville, Missouri to immerse herself in creating art through drawing, painting and sculpture. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1990. After enjoying much travel, Paul and Rosemary returned to Omaha in 2005 to be closer to family.

Rosemary enjoyed winning any parlor game based on family head counts. She had nine children, 23 grandchildren and 16 (soon to be 17) great-grandchildren. After Paul, what Rosemary loved most in life were her children. She would proudly say that all nine children were smart, loving and hard-working people.

Another love of Rosemary’s was singing lead in Sweet Adelines barbershop choruses. In 1966, Rosemary first sang with the Sweet Adelines Cedar Rhapsody Chapter. Paul quoted that “your mother needed an outlet to preserve her sanity”. Rosemary next sang with the Omaha Chapter from 1974 to 1986 and joined a quartet. While living in KC, Rosemary and the Kansas City Chapter competed in the 2005 International Chorus Competition, earning third place. Rosemary was immensely proud of that achievement. She returned to the Omaha Chapter in 2005 before retiring in 2010. Rosemary was a Sweet Adeline chorus member for 44 years!

Rosemary’s final years were plagued by blindness and many other conditions. Under wonderful hospice care, Rosemary passed away peacefully from natural causes. We take solace in knowing that Rosemary no longer suffers and is now free of her physical limitations.

Rosemary was dearly loved and will be missed by all. We will miss her spunk, feistiness and honesty in dealing with everyday matters. July 4th was Rosemary’s favorite holiday. We will celebrate Rosemary’s life this July, honoring a little firecracker of a woman.

Rosemary is survived by children Therese (Bob) Scheer, Brian (Cindi), Paul, Laura (Jay) Corbin, Peter (LaNette), Suzanne (Dan) Reyes, Garrett (Julie) and Joel (Alison). She is survived by 23 grandchildren Sarah Snider, Emily Mikesell, Brianna Kennedy, Rachel Soukup, Dillon Soukup, Jennifer Bridge, Michael Odom, Jeremy Soukup, Jessica Green, Zachary Soukup, Benjamin Soukup, Nichole Hitchcock, Chase Corbin, Bailey McGrath, Noah Corbin, Kale Soukup, Luke Reyes, Molly Reyes, Megan Polm, Oliva Soukup, Tessa Soukup, Taylor Soukup and Lily Soukup and 16 great-grandchildren. Rosemary is survived by sister Susan Maybanks, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul, sisters Marie Trachta, Barbara Studer, Marjorie Fraenkel, Carol Emerson, Karen Town and son Kevin.

Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on July 3rd at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, Papillion, Nebraska. We hope to livestream the mass for those who cannot attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosemary’s favorite Omaha charities: Siena Francis House at sienafrancis.org or Boys Town at boystown.org.