Mae Lorraine Soper

Mae L. Soper, of Devils Lake passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025 at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital at the age of 94 years.

There will be visitation at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Monday, October 20, 2025 beginning at 9:00 a.m. with the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with a time of fellowship to follow in the church dining hall.

Born March 16, 1931, in Fillmore, ND, Mae Lorraine was the daughter of Leonard and Hilda (Benson) McMillan. She was raised in the Penn, ND area, attended Devils Lake Public School and graduated from Devils Lake Central High School with the class of 1949. While in high school and prior to marriage, Mae worked in several retail businesses in Devils Lake.

Mae was united in marriage to Byron D. Soper on July 18, 1953 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. They established their home in the Lake Region where they lived, worked and raised their family. Mae’s first several years of marriage were devoted to Byron and caring and nurturing 4 children, Cheryl, Gary, Mark and Richard. This would be her life’s priority. Byron died on March 25, 2009.

In the fall of 1963, Mae was asked to be a part-time cook at Devils Lake Central High School. This soon became a full-time job in January of 1964. Along with preparing meals for grades 7-12 they also served the Lake Region Junior College students. After a fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen, the cooks were packing a bag lunch for students each day until the new building and kitchen were constructed.

Mae made the move to the new high school and at the time of her retirement in 1996 she had been the head cook for several years. Each new year brought changes and more responsibilities, including ordering the supplies for the entire school district’s menus. But one thing never changed, Mae’s love for each student that came through the cafeteria door. That was the best part of the job. Many of the teachers held a special place in her heart too and they were the recipients of her famous (and delicious) doughnuts.

Time away from school was enjoyed camping at their lake lot, fishing and crocheting. Mae described time at the lake as “this is the best life”. Many family memories were made there. When her sons were playing high school sports; basketball and baseball, you would see Mae with her own “score keeping book” at her side. She just wanted to make sure all the stats, baskets and home runs were correctly recorded.

Mae was a life member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, and was a member and served as President of Friends of the Handicapped.

Mae’s loving family include her children Cheryl Stack, Devils Lake, Gary (Kim) Soper, Grand Forks ND, Mark (Cindy) Soper also Devils Lake and Richard (Cathy) Soper, St. Cloud, MN; nine precious grandchildren Tanya Stack, Shawn (Brooke) Stack: Aaron (Megan) Soper, Tyler (Laci) Soper: Allison (Ryan) Yoder, Megan (Forrest) Balvitsch, Emilee (Brent) Luehring: Samantha (Brian) Kohout, Stephanie Soper; twenty-one great grandchildren she adored; brother-in-law Jay Soper; many dear nieces, nephews and their families.

She was reunited with her parents, husband Byron, great grandsons Landon Stack and Blake Stack, son-in-law Doug Stack, sisters Ruth Olson, Arlene Wass, Jane Zinke and Helen Hanson, brother Art Halvorson.

Mae’s life was her family, and her family was her life.

Casket Bearers will be Aaron Soper, Tyler Soper, Ryan Yoder, Forrest Balvitsch, Brent Luehring, Shawn Stack and Brian Kohout. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty and Jean Aardahl.