JoAnne Soffa, age 87, of Whitewater, passed away at Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater, Wisconsin on February 9, 2018, surrounded by her family. 

She was born on September 26, 1930, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, the daughter of Esther and William Seymour.

Anne graduated from Elkhorn High School and attended UW-Stout and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a degree in Food Sciences.  She was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.  She was a registered dietician and practiced in this area for many years, including at the VA Hospitals in Madison and Milwaukee, Fort Memorial Hospital, and Countryside Nursing Home in Jefferson.  She married Sam J. Soffa on November 17, 1956.  She was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Whitewater and later joined the First English Lutheran Church, also in Whitewater.

She was dedicated to making sure people in her community had access to good food, and she generously dedicated her time to the Gathering, a free community meal program at St. Luke’s.  She also volunteered at the Whitewater Food Pantry and was a member of Whitewater Chapter CI of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization).  She enjoyed knitting with her friends in knitting club, working in fiber arts, cooking, canning, baking, gardening, traveling with her husband, swimming, and playing bridge. With her family, she adopted several Gordon Setters through Gordon Setter Rescue.

She is survived by her husband Sam, daughter Dianne, brothers William Seymour (Marlyne) and Daniel Seymour, and sister Kathryn Larson (Roger).  She was preceded in death by her sister Mary French (Clayton), with whom she often traveled, knitted, and played bridge.

Services will be held at the First English Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main Street in Whitewater, at 11:00 a.m. on February 24, 2018, with Pastor Steve Hanson and Father John Splinter presiding.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Whitewater Food Pantry, c/o Jacki Hale, 599 S. Franklin Street, Whitewater, WI  53190.

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