Julia Ellen (Hotchkiss) Soper

Julia Ellen Soper, 78, of Amherst, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 after a courageous hard-fought battle with cancer. She was born on January 6, 1944 in Antigo, WI to Theresa and Charles Hotchkiss. Julia married Richard Soper on July 28, 1962 and has resided in Amherst ever since.
Her working career started at Zwickers, followed by 20+ years at Moore-O-Matic in Waupaca, then ThedaCare Hospital as a housekeeper until her retirement in 2017.
Julia was an avid Badgers and Packers fan, seldom missing a game (#4 being her favorite). Her favorite vacation was going to her cabin in Hurley, WI, fishing and watching the loons. Powerball tickets were a must, twice a week. She loved watching her numerous hummingbirds outside her dining room window, sometimes filling her feeders twice a day. She also had many other species of birds, deer and other wildlife that turned her backyard into an array of colors. She had the best of both worlds, doing puzzles and word searches while still watching nature outside that very window. Julia also loved spending time with her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Julia is survived by her husband, Richard; three sisters: Grace Phelps, Waupaca; Betty Stone, Aniwa; and Bonnie Hoeft, Antigo; one brother, Richard "Red" Hotchkiss, Almond; three children: Rick (Terry) Soper, Almond; Anita (William) Thompson, Nelsonville; and Jeff (Maureen) Soper, Amherst; grandchildren: Nikki (Greg) Austin, Amherst; Julia (Joey) Soper, Plover; Cassie (Adam) Porrey, Waupaca; and Cody Thompson, Nelsonville. She is further survived by great grandchildren: Hannah and Landon Austin; Jaiden and Josiah Esselman; Bentley and Jackson Porrey; along with many other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Ronald "Whitey" Hotchkiss; sister, Lila Lucht; granddaughter, Amanda Soper; and her beloved dog, Moussey.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring, with interment at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Lanark.
A special thank you to all the staff at ThedaCare Hospital and Clinics that helped her with her crusade against cancer. Online condolences available at www.maplecrestfuneralhome.com

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