Teresa D. Sopha

POYNETTE – Teresa D. Sopha, age 57, of Poynette, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 24, 2022.  She was born on February 16, 1964, in Portage, the daughter of Norman and Darlene (Granger) Szoke.  Teresa was married to Kirk Sopha on August 24, 1985.

On Monday, this world lost the best wife, mom, sister and friend.  She never did anything small.  You need a pair of shoes, you suddenly had 6 pairs.  Do you need dinner?  You found yourself with weeks’ worth of homemade food and extras.  If she found out you were sick, you had the biggest care package.  Need help cooking, I hope you had an army.  You never had to ask;  she just knew.  Her happiest times were doing for others and watching their face light up.  She never ever expected anything in return.  She would brag about her husband and all he did.  No other man could or would ever compare.  She wasn’t shy about showing people either.  She loved fully.  This also meant herself.  She always had bling.  If it had a surface, she would bling it out.  Her phone, she did her own nails, her reading glasses, even her shoes.  She loved sparkles and light.

She loved being a mom.  Never missed a practice, competition, or any event.  She cried when we cried, she protected when we struggled.  She celebrated EVERY moment, every accomplishment, like it was a big deal (‘cause it was).  She loved being grandma, we think, even more.  As soon as Gunner was born, he was her perfect angel. (Despite trying to convince her otherwise.) He could do no wrong.  She was always so proud of him.  As soon as we walked through the door, he knew he had to go to her so she could smother him in kisses.  She would make sure he knew everyday she loved him.  Then the “Grandma loves me more mom” would follow.

Even when she had a garden, it was bigger than life.  She loved her dogs, Pooka and Scrappy, and her grand-puppies, Angel, Denali, and Madeline.  All were spoiled beyond belief, more than anything.  She loved being creative.  Doing flowers for weddings, painting the house or businesses.  She stain-glassed the front door and so many more projects.  We talked every day.  Every day, even if we missed a day, there were messages waiting.  She wanted to know every detail.  She never went a day without saying I love you to any of us.  She did speak her mind.  She knew how to do it well.  If she didn’t feel is was right, it didn’t sit well or destroyed your happiness, she told you She wanted you to be happy, that was her life.  Last year, like everyone’s, was hard.  Her stroke came in April, and it was very hard for her.  She was always good at hiding pain, fear or anything negative that she may have.  She was strong, stubborn, wise, loving and she was incredibly forgiving.

She is survived by her husband, Kirk;  their daughters, Samantha Sopha and Kelli Sopha;  their grandson, Gunner Sopha;  her sister, Chris (Tim) Bortz;  foster sisters, Heidi Dowden and Janet Holtan;  many other relatives and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Darlene Szoke, and grandparents, Agnes and Wilbert Granger. 

No services will be held.  Inurnment will be private. Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Columbia County Humane Society.