Peter "Pete" Soppe

Peter “Pete” Soppe
August 11, 1961 – January 24, 2025

Peter “Pete” Soppe, age 63, of Savanna, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly at home. Pete was a straight-shooter, a proud Navy veteran, and a devoted family man. He loved the simple things in life—grilling out with family, spoiling his grandkids, and fixing just about anything. He was loyal to his crew, whether it was his Navy shipmates, his coworkers, or the family he cherished above all else.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, January 30, 2025 with Military Rites, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Sabula, Iowa. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM prior to the service.

Pete was born on August 11, 1961, in Winona, Minnesota, to Daniel and Alice (Koscianski) Soppe. After graduating from Savanna High School in 1980, Pete answered the call to serve his country. He joined the United States Navy, where he worked as a repair technician on the USS Saipan (LHA-2) and the submarine tender USS Simon Lake. Whether it was fixing nuclear subs or tackling complex mechanical problems, Pete approached every task with precision, grit, and determination.

The Navy wasn’t just a job for Pete—it was a way of life. He valued hard work, discipline, and looking out for his team. It was during these years that he and Laurie, the love of his life, raised their sons in duty stations from Norfolk, Virginia, to Kings Bay, Georgia, to Jacksonville, Florida. Married on August 16, 1980, Pete and Laurie built a life full of love, family, and adventure. Over 44 years of marriage, they raised two sons, Joshua and Zachariah, who inherited Pete’s sense of humor and strong work ethic.

After leaving the Navy, Pete used his skills in civilian life, working for U-Haul in logistics, marketing, and repair. Later, he took on management roles with Goodyear, Tandem Tire, and finally JC Carey Motors in Savanna before retiring in 2023. Pete’s leadership and can-do attitude earned him respect wherever he went.

Pete was a simple man who didn’t need much to be happy. He was known for being frugal (most of the time) and a bit hard-headed, but his big heart always shined through. He loved firing up the grill for family gatherings, joking with his grandkids, and enjoying quiet moments at home with Laurie. Family was everything to him, and he was happiest when everyone was together.

Pete is survived by his wife, Laurie; his sons, Joshua (Julie) Soppe of Gallatin, Tennessee, and Zachariah (Denise) Soppe of Hubert, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Kaleb, Wyatt, Lilliana, Riley, and Chelsea; his father, Daniel (Ruth) Soppe of Savanna; and his siblings, Roger (Lori) Soppe of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Don (Terri) Soppe of Endeavor, Wisconsin, and Peggy (Scott) Brandt of Savanna. He is preceded in death by his mother, Alice, and his sister, Mary Ann.

Pete lived by a simple code: work hard, take care of your own, and enjoy the little things. He was a tough yet kind-hearted man who always got the job done. His legacy lives on in his family and the values he instilled in them. Fair winds and following seas, Pete. You will be deeply missed.