Byron DuWayne Soper

Byron D. Soper, 81 a life long resident and businessman of Devils Lake, ND died early Wednesday morning, March 25, 2009 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Byron will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Rafe Allison 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 and Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Byron will be his grandsons, Aaron Soper, Tyler Soper and Shawn Stack; grandsons-in-law, Ryan Yoder and Brian Kohout. Honorary Bearers will be his granddaughters, Allison Yoder, Megan Soper, Emilee Soper, Tanya Stack, Samantha Kohout and Stephanie Soper. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, soloist and Patty Cote, organist. Byron DuWayne, son of Audry and Alma (Malingen) Soper was born on December 24, 1927 at Brocket, ND. He was reared and educated in Devils Lake, graduating from Central High School in the class of 1945. Byron was a valued participant in any high school or amateau basketball game. He entered the United States Air Force in 1945 and served at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, Arizona. He was honorably discharged in 1947. He returned to North Dakota and attended Lake Region Junior College, receiving an Associates Degree in Accounting. Byron was united in marriage to Mae L. McMillan at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on July 18, 1953. They established their home in Devils Lake and lived, worked and raised their family here through the years. Byron worked for his Dad and Soper Construction in several aspects of the road construction business. In 1954, Byron, Roger, Vernell and Glenn began operating the Exxon Service Station at 3rd Avenue/3rd Street. In the late 1960’s the Soper Brothers purchased the Exxon Station at 4th Street/6th Avenue and Humble Oil Company. In 1963, the brothers began another enterprise, Soper Brothers Construction again involved in all aspects of road construction. In the early 1990’s, the business was sold and Byron retired after many years of hard work and dedication as a member of the Soper Brothers. Byron was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and the Elks Lodge. When Byron had a little time to relax, he loved spending time at the lake with his family and grandchildren and doing a little fishing. But no matter where Byron might be, he made sure he was tuned in to Minnesota Twins Baseball or watching the Minnesota Vikings. Byron is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mae Daughter: Cheryl Stack and her husband, Douglas of Devils Lake Sons: Gary Soper and his wife, Kim of Grand Forks Mark Soper and his wife, Cindy also Devils Lake Richard Soper and his wife, Cathy of Prior Lake, MN Grandchildren: Shawn Stack and Tanya Stack; Aaron Soper and Tyler Soper; Allison (Ryan) Yoder, Megan Soper and Emilee Soper; Samantha (Brian) Kohout and Stephanie Soper; Great Grandson: Landon Stack Brothers: Vernell Soper and Glenn (Betty) Soper all of Devils Lake; Jay (Carol) Soper of Surprise, Arizona Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Don Soper and Roger Soper.