- Date Of Birth: May 4, 1922
- Date Of Death: July 18, 2013
- State: Minnesota
Michael J. “Mike” Sopp, 91, a lifetime resident of Virginia, died Thursday, July 18, 2013, at Edgewood Vista in Virginia, with his son Frank and daughter-in-law Jeanne at his side. Mike was born May 4, 1922 in Virginia, the son of Frank and Terezija Sopp. He graduated from Virginia High School and was a World War II veteran, having served in the United States Navy beginning on October 27, 1942 and honorably discharged on March 5, 1946 as a Machinist’s Mate Second Class. Mike held a State of Minnesota Division of Boiler Inspection First Class Engineer’s License and was employed by Oliver Iron Mining Company (US Steel) for 17 years as a locomotive mechanic. Subsequently, he was employed by the Virginia Public Utilities for 13 years as a power plant operator and 11 years as a serviceman, retiring on June 30, 1987. Mike was an avid bowler and the Secretary of one of the leagues he bowled in for 28 years. He was also a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America and the Crellin-Tini VFW Post 1113 of Virginia. On November 19, 1949, Mike married Rosalie Nekich. They shared nearly 56 years of marriage before Rosie passed away on August 29, 2005. Mike lived in what was his home as a child, on the Northside in Virginia, from age 2 until age almost-87 when he moved to Edgewood Vista.
Mike is survived by children MaryAnn (Floyd) Korpi of Howards Grove, Wisconsin, John Sopp of Mountain Iron, Frank (Jeanne) Sopp of Virginia, and Dan Sopp of Virginia; grandson Kyle (Darlene) Korpi and great-grandsons Aaron, Nathan, and James of Howards Grove, Wisconsin; grandson Ryan Korpi of Madison, Wisconsin; granddaughter Erin (Billy) Hanson and great-grandchildren Carter and Amelia of Bloomington, Minnesota; sister Anne (Beba) Jagunich; brother-in-law Mark “Wag” Mesich; sister-in-law Betty Nekich; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Rosie, his brother Frank, and his sister Mary.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Edgewood Vista and East Range Hospice, for their love, care, and support. They would also like to thank Bill and Jeannine Bauman for their personal care and support now and at the times during the past eight years when they lost their other parents.
