LAKE GENEVA — Tributes are pouring in on social media to remember Sara Soukup, the beloved youth services librarian at the Lake Geneva Public Library, who died Thursday at the age of 44.

Soukup, formerly of Yankton, South Dakota, passed away Thursday at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, according to a notice in the local paper.

On Nov. 30, the library posted on Facebook that she was very ill and on Tuesday, the library updated the cover photo on its Facebook page with Soukup’s photo and a message that read, “In loving memory of Sara Soukup, ‘Miss Sara.'”

Soukup ran a long-running project called, “Where in Lake Geneva is Miss Sara this Week.”

Her posts on the Lake Geneva Public Library Youth Services Facebook page ended in mid-November.

As word of Soukup’s passing spread, many who were positively affected by Soukup posted messages on social media.

“Heartbreaking. She was so kind at a time my child really needed it,” read a comment on the library’s Facebook page from a parent.

“You passed the love of reading and books to young children in your gentle way. What a great gift for our kids or grands to enjoy reading. RIP Sara,” read another.

The Geneva Lakes Family YMCA said that its Polar Express themed event set for Saturday will be dedicated to the reading of “The Polar Express” in Soukup’s honor. The reading begins at 1 pm.

“We thank Sara for sharing her love of reading with us. She will forever be in our hearts!” read the post.

Funeral services are pending with the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory, Yankton.