Victor “Vic” Raymond Soat, 85, of Menominee, IL, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024 peacefully at home.

Family and friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, where the Nativity BVM Parish and Holy Name Society will recite the rosary at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. There will be an additional visitation from 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Nativity B.V.M. Church in Menominee, with Fr. Ediberto Jarapa officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by members of East Dubuque American Legion Post # 787.

Victor was born on February 26, 1939 in East Dubuque, IL, the son of Henry A. and Irene C. (Opgenhafen) Soat. He met his future wife, Esther L. Wubben at Moonlight Gardens Dance Hall in Menominee and they were united in marriage on July 21, 1962 at Nativity B.V.M. Church at Menominee.

Vic served in the U.S. Army from 1957 – 1959 where he was stationed in Germany. Vic worked most of his professional life at John Deere Dubuque Works from 1964 – 1995 where he worked in a variety of departments including flame cutting, tool grinding, and inspection. After retiring from John Deere, he enjoyed working as a greenskeeper at The Meadows golf course, The Sinsinawa Dominican Motherhouse, and Enterprise Rental Car.

Victor served many years on the Nativity B.V.M. Holy Name Society as well as a volunteer fireman for both the East Dubuque and Menominee-Dunleith fire departments.  He was also a former member of U.A.W. Local # 94.

Throughout his years, Victor enjoyed: Snowmobiling, Deer Hunting, & Card Club with close friends. Victor & Esther continued their card club with friends for over 50 years. He also greatly enjoyed fishing & golfing with friends and family, coaching his sons in baseball as kids and softball later as they grew older.  Additionally, he was experienced at woodworking – making dozens of handmade beanbag sets & personalized birdhouses for friends and family.   He also treasured watching the Packers & Cubs as well as the Galena Pirates & River Ridge Wildcats games and drama performances.

Victor most enjoyed spending time with his 5 kids, 10 grandkids and 6 great grandkids. His heart was truly full with visits from his family who will always be amazed by his “match trick” performed at birthday parties at the house.

Victor is survived by his wife of 62 years Esther; sons, Marty (Julie Scott) Soat, Tim (Tami Wheelwright) Soat, Andrew (Jennifer Moser) Soat, and Ben (Christine Flack) Soat all of Galena, and a daughter Tina Soat of Menominee; grandchildren, Tori (Mark) Weber of Grimes, IA, Taylor (Zac) Ozee of Galena, Makenzie Soat and fiancé Bryton Melenas of Dallas, TX, Riley Soat, Gage Soat, Evan Soat, Caleb Soat, Conner Soat, Caitlyn Soat, & Cullen Soat all of Galena; great grandchildren, Cael, Trey, Hayden, Zane & Clara Ozee and Theo Weber; sister-in-law, Dorothy Soat, brother-in-law, Cy Schulting, sisters-in-law, Janet Valder and Joyce Honkamp, brothers-in-law, Carl (Pat) Wubben, Tom (Terri) Wubben, sisters-in-law, Eleanor Dasenbrook and Elizabeth (Earle) Peters, and brother-in-law Robert (Diana) Wubben; and many nieces and nephews.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, sister & brother-in-law, Bertilla (Jerry) Westemeier, brother & sister-in-law Elmer (Helen) Soat, Merlin (Marlene) Soat, and brother Bernard Soat as well as sister-in-law Kay (Erwin) Schneider, Dorothy (Tom) Schlueter, Carol Schulting, brothers-in-law Michael Valder, Arnold Honkamp and James Halsey.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©