Anna Ludmila Sopoci, nee Feriancik, age 93, of Brookfield. Beloved wife of Jan Sopoci; dear mother of Jan Andrew Sopoci, Elena S. (Doug Belknap) Sopoci, Anne Marie (Paul) Brinley; loving grandmother of Shannon (Rob) Corn, Tom (Hannah) Sopoci, Matthew Puhr, Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, Bianca (Ben Gillock) Sopoci-Belknap, Rory (Zuzka) Sopoci-Belknap, Kristen (Duncan) Cooper, Elizabeth Brinley, Janelle Brinley, Emily Brinley, the late Samantha Puhr; devoted great grandmother of Nicole Corn, Jacob Corn, Rowan Sopoci-Gillock; fond sister of the late Zuzana (John) Blaho, and other siblings in Slovakia. Aunt of many nieces and nephews, both in the U.S. and Slovakia, especially Dr. Victoria (Tristan Coady) Blaho. Visitation, Tuesday December 4, 2012 from 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield. Will Lie in State Wednesday, December 5, 2012 from 9:30 A.M. to time of Service at 10:00 A.M. at Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, corner of 31st Street and Des Plaines Avenue, Riverside. Internment Woodlawn Cemetery. Immigrating to the U.S. at the age of 16 from Czechoslovakia, Anna came to love her new country while always seeking to foster awareness and appreciation of Slovak heritage. She served as a tireless leader in several Slovak organizations including Sokol USA Lodge 40W and the Slovak American Charitable Association. She was also an officer in the former United Lutheran Society. Upon moving with her husband to East Orange, N.J. in 1971, she served as Editor of the Sokol Times for many years. She and her husband enjoyed moving back to Brookfield upon their retirement in 1997. Memorials appreciated to: Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, 250 Woodside Road, Riverside, IL 60546 or Sokol U.S.A., Milan Getting Scholarship Fund, 276 Prospect Street, East Orange, NJ 07017. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
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Thoughts of Anna bring a smile to my face as I remember her approach to learning about Sokol life and us here in the east.
She squared her shoulders and tackled the job of writing and editing Sokol Times with gusto. My dad, Andrew Hurta became her close colleague with his consistent writing Byram Community News column for Sokol Times. I enjoyed our talks about Slovak culture, one of my keen interests. She proudly wore her white kroj for occasions. Grand daughters should enjoy wearing it in her honor for generations onward. My sincere condolences to Jan and the family at this grave time of loss of this fine lady.