Donald E. Soper

Donald E. Soper, 80 of Devils Lake, ND died on Friday afternoon, February 4, 2005 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Donald will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday one hour prior to services in the church. Honorary Pallbearers are David Crouch, Gravy McPhail, Don’s Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and his many friends. Active Pallbearers: Gerald Bryn, Jason Henke, Al Herda, Jr., Mark Soper, Gary Soper, Richard Soper and Sanford Soper. Music will be provided by Tom Wade and Pastor Harold Ovre, Vocalists and Lynda Pearson, Organist Donald E. Soper was born September 5, 1924 in Wolf Point, Montana the son of Audry E. and Alma (Malingen) Soper. They left the area in 1925, living for a brief time in Brocket, ND before moving to Devils Lake where he attended school and graduated from Devils Lake Central High School in 1942. Don enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 18, 1943 serving his country during World War II in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre. Don was part of the Thunderbird Division that landed at Anzio, Italy and liberated the Italian people from the Nazi’s. He received a Bronze Star for the Rome-Arno Campaign. Following his honorable discharge on January 7, 1945, Don returned to Devils Lake and was united in marriage to Shirley Mae Benson on February 5, 1945. They established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their four children. He worked for a time for Ramsey County and then Donald, along with his father, established Soper Construction in 1946 where he worked until 1956. He then began working at Mercy Hospital as Chief Maintenance Engineer, retiring in 1987 after 31 years of service. Don was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, a life member of the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Elks Lodge and former member of the Devils Lake Eagles Lodge. Don was proud of his military service and honored to serve his country. He was also very proud of his family and their accomplishments. His hearty laugh will be missed by his family and friends. Donald is survived by his wife, Shirley. They would have been married 60 years on February 5th. Sons & Daughters-In-Law: Ronald and (Berta Ronning) Soper of Webster, North Dakota Dwight and (Mary St. John) Soper of Waterloo, Iowa Larry and (Darlene Gilbertson) Soper of Woodstock, Georgia Daughter and Son-In-Law: Cynthia and Keith Myhre of Devils Lake, North Dakota Nine Grandchildren: Randy Soper, Dara (Soper) Bartels, Benjamin Garner, Michelle Soper, Samantha Soper, Kimberly Soper, Jeffrey Soper, Jody (Soper)Ramey and Jackie (Soper)Dunn Seven Great Grandchildren Brothers and Sisters-In-Law: Vernell Soper Glenn and Betty Soper Byron and Mae Soper all of Devils Lake Jay and Carole Soper of Surprise, Arizona Many Nieces and Nephews also survive. Donald was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Chad Soper and brother, Roger Soper