Betty Ann Gertrude Soper (Ringstrom)

Betty Ann Soper, 86 of Devils Lake, ND passed away early Monday morning, July 1, 2019 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral Services for Betty will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Jim Paulson officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 5^th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake and will continue on Saturday one hour prior to the funeral service.

Betty Ann Gertrude (Ringstrom) Soper was born March 3, 1933 in Devils Lake, ND the daughter of Charles and Gertrude (Halgren) Ringstrom. She was raised on her parent’s farm receiving her elementary education in North Minnewaukan Schools. She graduated from Devils Lake Central School in 1951. She attended Minot State College and graduated with a two year Standard teaching degree.

Betty was united in marriage to Glenn H. Soper on December 23, 1952 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. While Glenn was in the Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Betty taught school at Pelican #3 west of Devils Lake for two years. When Glenn returned, they moved to Newbre School northeast of Devils Lake where she taught for three years. They moved to Devils Lake after that and then taught at the Webster School for six years. Betty retired from teaching to raise their three sons. While raising her boys, she was active as a Cub Scout leader, Sunday and Bible School teacher and PTA President.

Betty was a substitute teacher for a few years before taking a job as a paraprofessional in Special Education in the Devils Lake School System. After her second retirement she worked as lunch hostess at the Elks Lodge. She also subbed in the Devils Lake School system as a paraprofessional well into her 80’s.

Betty was a very active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, WELCA and church choir of St. Olaf, Rebekah Lodge, Federated Music Club, Lake Region Community Concert Association, Fort Totten Little Theater, VFW Auxiliary, President of Pioneer Daughters, President of Swedish Clubs around North Dakota, and President of Preceptor Lambda Beta Sigma Phi.

Betty was a 50 year member of the Town and Country Club winning numerous tournaments. She enjoyed gardening, reading, handwork, bridge and being with her loving family and friends.

Betty’s loving family include her sons Charles W. Soper, Bismarck, ND, Brian G. Soper and his wife Kara of Honolulu, Hawaii and Christopher J. Soper of Lenexa, Kansas; sister Shirley Lacher, Bismarck and her beloved sisters family, who loved her as “their second mother” Jeanne (Dave) Doepke, Tom (Cheryl) Lacher, Cheryl (Adam) Babich, Kathy Dockter, Paul Lacher, Margaret (Carl) Laib and John (Bianca) Lacher and nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Glenn on August 9, 2012 and brother-in-law Sebastian R. Lacher.

Memorials may be directed to St. Olaf Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor’s choice.