Kathy Soukup was a resident of Four Winds Manor for a few years and passed away on Thursday,
June 18, 2026. Kathy was 83 years old. She is survived by her husband, Patrick Soukup and her
children David Soukup and his ex-wife, Rose, and their children Bobbi and Dustin; John Soukup;
and Melissa Soukup and her husband, Luis Santos, and their children, Diego and Katia.
Kathy was born in Milwaukee and raised on the east side of Madison. She and Patrick lived in the
Eastmorland neighborhood for over 60 years, first on Paus Street and then at 3717 Dawes Street.
Both Kathy and Patrick were very active with Eastmorland Community Association (ECA). She ran
her home day care program, which was licensed by the State of Wisconsin, for forty years.
Kathy was the ECA president from 1981 – 1982 and again from 1986 to May 2021 (about 37 years).
In addition, she:
- Oversaw the Santa visits, which at the time were done in individual’s homes, as well as the
baking and distribution of the Christmas cookies; - Encouraged neighborhood picnics, decorated bike parades, and street block parties;
- Started a neighborhood watch program and the Helping Hands initiative in the
neighborhood for children who walked to school by themselves; - With Patrick, coordinated the counting and sorting of the “Hi, Neighbor!” newsletter for
block captains to deliver to each home in the neighborhood; - Guided the establishment of the community garden at the corner of Walter Street and
Hargrove Street; - Established the fall leaf raking for persons who were physically unable to rake their own
yard; and - Established a Sunshine Committee, which sent cards from ECA.
During Kathy’s tenure as president, many changes in the neighborhood occurred with her
leadership including the redesign of the Milwaukee Street and Highway 51 intersection to an
overpass and underpass; the bike overpass over Highway 51; the development of the community
garden on Hargrove Street; the installation of a neighborhood sign at Leon and Milwaukee Streets;
the Save the [Ash] Trees campaign; etc.
In addition to her work with ECA, Kathy was very involved with other community organizations and
community building efforts. She was:
- An active member of St. Dennis Church;
- Girl Scouts Troop Leader, Girl Scouts Council Service Manager, and Coordinator of Girl
Scouts Special Events; - Was active with the Schenk Elementary PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization), including
forming the first playground building committee; and - Tutored children at Schenk Elementary School in reading.
She was a dedicated, tireless person who cared about others and worked to improve the lives of
everyone in the neighborhood and always with a positive attitude. She will be deeply missed.