Barbara Soper

Memorial services for Barbara K. Soper will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, MN with Rev. Randy Baldwin officiating.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, and burial will be at a later date.

Barb passed away on Monday, May 27, 2019 surrounded by family at her home in Albert Lea.  She was 83 years old.

Barbara Kay (Louvar) Soper was born on August 23, 1935 in Saratoga, IA to Jerry and “Mayme” (Kakac) Louvar.  She attended country school at Saratoga #4, graduating in 8th grade at the top of her class.  Little did anyone know she was the only one in her class!  She went on to graduate Riceville High School, and would go to the Naeve Hospital School of Nursing where she obtained her RN degree in 1956.

Barb would meet the love of her life through mail – as Darrell got her name and information from an acquaintance in the service.  It would be 6 – 8 months of writing before the two would meet in person.  Darrell must’ve been quite the writer, because on November 30, 1957 the two were married in Riceville, Iowa.  The couple was blessed with 61 years of marriage.

Barb started working as a surgery and ER nurse at Naeve Hospital.  Over the last 30 years of her career were spent as a nurse at St. John’s Lutheran Home.  After retirement, she did in home health care for numerous families until just a few years ago.  She was a member of Lunder Lutheran Church, where she was in the choir and taught Sunday school.  She was in the TOPS Club and was a member of the Naeve Hospital Alumni and Nurses Club – where she never missed a reunion.

She was talented at counted cross stitching.  Later in life, Barb took up crossword puzzles.  She became a Minnesota Twins fan – mainly because Darrell would always have it on TV.  She can be described as sweet, loving, faithful and devoted who loved her family more than anything.

She is preceded in death by her son, Mark Jerry Soper; daughter in-law, Anne Walsh; both parents, Jerry and Mayme; mother and father in-law, Ben and Edith Soper; sister, Mary (Kenny) Stark; and nephews, Larry, Kevin, and Greg.

Barb is survived by her husband, Darrell Soper; children, Steve (Laurel) Soper and Pam Soper; grandchildren, Bryan (Shawna) Soper, Cara (Charlie) Soukup, Kayla (Christian) Kinley and Andy Soper; great-grandchildren, Brenden, Levi, and Audrey; sister, Helen (Dean) Stark; sister in-law, Judy Buck; as well as many extended relatives and friends.

Blessed be her memory!