Esther L. Soyk, nee Backhaus, 84, of West Bend, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 at SynergyHealth St. Joseph's Hospital in the town of Polk.
She was born on May 18, 1921 in Kewaskum to the late Roman and Hedwig (nee Bartelt) Backhaus. She was united in marriage to Melvin Soyk on July 22, 1944 at St. Lucas Lutheran Church in Kewaskum. Her husband preceded her in death on Nov. 1, 1994.
Esther worked as a laundry operator for the West Bend School District for 25 years, until retiring in 1987.
She is survived by seven children, Nancy Contreras of West Bend, Melvin A. (Sue) Soyk of Lincoln, NB, Bonnie (Rich) Gerner of West Bend, Janis (Joe) Broecker of Kohlsville, Ronald (Joanne) Soyk of Milwaukee, Sandra (Mike) Bodden of Theresa, and Susan (Jim) Wessing of Kewaskum; 12 grandchildren, Jorge (Amy) Contreras, Janine (Jessie) Theiler, Brian (Kaylea) Soyk, Chelli (J.P.) Whelan, Jason Broecker, Holli (Ben) Schmoldt, Greg Bodden, Jill (Jeff) Palka, Tim (Linda) Bodden, Chris Wessing, Nicki Wessing, and Justin Wessing; two great-grandchildren, Maggie Whelan, Lindsay Whelan, and Alina Theiler; two sisters-in-law, Myrtle (Walter) Hassinger and Alice Arndt; a brother-in-law, Norman (Eugenia) Soyk; nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and her dog, Copper.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Evelyn Soyk; a son-in-law, Jorge Contreras; a granddaughter, Dawn Schloemer; two sisters, Hildegard Meyer and Anita Backhaus; and a brother, Carl Backhaus.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Myrhum - Patten Funeral Home, West Bend, with Rev. David Flegel officiating. Burial will be in Lutheran Memorial Park, Kewaskum, on Wed. at 9:30 a.m. Visitation will be at the Myrhum - Patten Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services.
Esther's family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. William Listwan for his dedicated care.