Roger Lee Sopha

ARLINGTON – Roger Lee Sopha of Arlington, Wisconsin, passed away on December 19, 2021, at the age of 73 with his wife of 51 years by his side.
Roger was born in Phillips, Wisconsin on August 13, 1948, the youngest son of Alexander and Helen Sopha. He graduated from Phillips High School in 1966, and later that year entered the Army National Guard (Red Arrow Brigade) and joined Local 19 Heat and Frost Insulators.  Roger married Madonna “Donna Jean” Leytem on April 11, 1970, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Roger was a remarkably hard worker and talented tradesman. He worked in his insulator’s trade for over 45 years, including work on power plants, agricultural centers, food production facilities, hospitals, hotels, and countless commercial buildings. He ran his own construction business for many years, and in later years traveled the country supervising work on industrial energy projects.
He proudly served his community as a longtime member of the Arlington Volunteer Fire Department (Assistant Chief), and as a member of the Arlington Village Board, the Poynette School Board, and the St. Thomas Parish Council.  He was a “project” man and made time to continually improve the house he built in Arlington and help his children with their home-improvement projects. Roger had a special place in his heart for “Phillips,” and his grandparents’ farm that he bought in 1971. He tirelessly worked to restore the cabin and buildings and improve the land and woods. He was honored to obtain a Wisconsin Century Farm designation and delighted in sharing Sopha history on the farm dating back to 1901.
Roger had a ready smile and a firm handshake. He was the consummate family man, a true hero to his children and a devoted husband. He was confident in his life path, and found fulfillment in family, work, and faith.
He is survived by wife, Madonna; children, Jonathan (Jill) Sopha, Rachel (Jason) Stephenson, and Nathan (Joanna Stewart) Sopha; daughter-in-law, Nicol (Marcus) Krumpholz; grandchildren, Dylan, Kaelyn, Luke, Ryan, James, Quinn and Sloane; brother, Larry (Glenda) Sopha; sisters, Suzanne Brandt and Rebecca Sopha, and many special cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Matthew, and baby son Jordan; parents, Alexander and Helen Sopha; brothers, Raymond, Alexander Jr., Robert, Steve, and Eugene.
A special thank you to the amazing caregivers at At Home Again in Rio, Wisconsin. Roger was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
A memorial service will be held for Roger at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Poynette, Wisconsin on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 11:30 a.m., with visitation from 9:30 am until time of service.
Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette is assisting the family.