Dene Sooy

Commander Evelyn Nadine Niehaus Sooy USNR (fondly known as Dene) passed away on June 1, 2021, in San Clemente, Calif., at the age of 102. Military services will be held June 29, 1:30 p.m. at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, Calif. and a Celebration of Life Service will be held July 3, 11 a.m., at the Iantha Baptist Church in Iantha, Mo.

 
Dene was born May 14, 1919, on the farm of her great grandparents (Arron and Elizabeth Ewing), northeast of Lamar, MO to August John and Gladys Clarine (Ewing) Niehaus. She attended Victory Country School and was a 1937 graduate of Lamar High School. She enrolled at Southwest Missouri State Teachers College in Springfield, MO.

 

Dene began teaching at Iantha School (grades 1-12) and Bakers Grove (grades 1-8) in Barton County; she later taught kindergarten in Seattle, WA. Dene joined the Navy Waves and reported for duty on July 4, 1943.

After training at Mt. Holyoke and Smith Colleges in Massachusetts, she served as a cryptologist in Seattle, WA and communications specialist in Washington, D.C. during WWII.

Leaving the Waves in 1946, she was recruited by United Airlines as a flight attendant and was assigned to Seattle. Dene flew OMA layovers to buy butter (hard to come by right after WWII).

On one trip her flight bag was unknowingly moved near a heating vent. The result was discovered when, from her suitcase, 16 pounds of melted butter started oozing the liquid gold, leaving a glossy trail in the terminal.

In 1948 she left United to join the US Occupation Forces in Europe for two years. In 1950, as a Naval Reservist, she was recalled to active duty.

 
During the Korean War, Dene was assigned to the Pentagon. She retired from the military in 1979. Dene continued her military service for a total of 34 years. She has the distinction of being one of the first four women assigned command in the Navy.

In 2019, Dene traveled on the San Diego Honor’s Flight to Washington, D.C., where she was honored at the Women’s Veterans Memorial.

Dene married Captain Davis A Sooy USN on November 15, 1964 in Lamar, MO. He was a jet fighter pilot.

From 1953 to 1969 Dene was employed by Chance Vought Aircraft Corporation in Grand Prairie, TX. Working in the engineer- ing department, she helped update, design and build the Vought F4U Corsair Fighter Jet, the VTOL 124A and the F8U Crusader Jet.

In 1969, Dene and David moved to San Diego, CA. Dene changed vocations, becoming a real estate agent for Century 21 for 20 years. Dene loved traveling, visiting six continents, all 50 states and more than 90 countries. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, little theater and playing bridge. (Especially playing bridge for which she recruited, taught and hosted tournaments).

No matter where Dene went, she was the life of the party. She left people wide-eyed and laughing, establishing herself as a character to all she met. She was beloved by many generations, from several states and many countries, because of her lively anecdotes and gift of conversation. She’d attribute her longevity to staying active, lots of laughter and “nips of booze” from the flask she carried in her purse wherever she traveled.

Commander Sooy was preceded in death by her husband, Captain David Sooy; by two sisters, Helen Settler and Jean Roderique; a brother, August John Niehaus Jr. and a nephew, Johnny Stettler. Dene is survived by step grandchildren, Jo Cachia, David Worley and Lolli Worley and step-grandchildren, Lexi Cachia, Tori Cachia, Blake Worley and Nicole Worley, San Clemente, CA and a cousin, Patricia Niehaus Casady, Hollister, MO. Dene leaves behind nieces and nephews, Lendi Davis, Naomi Burwell, Jim Stettler, Craig Roderique, Leigh Roderique, Cindy Roderique and Glen Roderique; 15 great-nieces and nephews and 21 great-great-nieces and nephews.