Robert Soda

Robert Soda, age 86, of Princeton, passed away with his family by his side on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at the Ripon Medical Center in Ripon, WI. He was born on September 8, 1934, in Princeton, the son of Jake and Ida (Kwiatkowski) Soda.

Robert grew up in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School in 1952. On October 6, 1956, he was united in marriage to Nancy Lesniak at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wautoma. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary later this year. Robert was a self-taught, innovative mechanic. He was employed as a heavy equipment mechanic for 39 years, having worked for Mashuda Contractors and Michels Pipeline.

Robert was a faithful lifetime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Princeton, a member of the Holy Name Society and was also a former communion minister. He belonged to the Operating Engineers Union -Local 139 and received their Lifetime Membership Award for 65 years of membership. Robert was bilingual, speaking both Polish and English. 

Spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was what he loved. Robert took pride in taking care of his family farm and mowing his lawn. He loved being outdoors cutting wood, enjoyed deer hunting and watching the Milwaukee Brewers. His ideal vacation was staying home and picking corn.

Those Robert leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 64 years, Nancy Soda of Princeton; his children, Kimball (Tracy) Soda, Bradley (Kim) Soda, Natalie (Scott) Sondalle all of Princeton, Monica (Marty) Moldenhauer of Ripon, Trina (JO) Ostram and Rhonda (Chip) Horvath of Brandon; 13 grandchildren, Eric (Monique) Soda, Vanessa (fiancé, Eric) Soda; Samuel (Matt O’Brien) Sondalle, Lydia Sondalle; Chelsea (Jordan) Kastein, Brock ( fiancée, Kenna) Moldenhauer, Ava Moldenhauer; Emily (fiancé, Tyler) Ostram, Morgan Ostram; Abigail (Dan) Fenton, Lucas, Maria and Gabriel Horvath; great grandchildren, Lexia and Brecken Soda, baby Fenton due in September; sister, Beatrice Mashuda of Mars, PA; brothers-in-law, Jerome (Jeanne) Lesniak of Sebring, FL, Pete Lesniak of Pierre, SD; numerous nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Colette Ann Soda; his parents, Jake and Ida Soda; 4 sisters, Virginia Rozek, Phyllis Bornick, Isabel Golz, Loretta Seman.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Robert Soda will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1211 W. Main St., in Princeton. Father Peter Auer will officiate. Robert will be laid to rest following the service in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Princeton. Please visit our website www.wachholzandsons.com to send a condolence or to share a memory of Robert with his family. 

Wachholz and Sons Funeral Home

Sunset Cremation Center in Princeton

Serving the Family, 920-295-6631

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