Gerald Soper

Gerald Elmer "Bud" Soper, 82, of Adair, Iowa, passed away at Caring Acres in Anita, Iowa on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

Bud was born November 24, 1932, in Cass County, Iowa, to Glen and Ruth (Taylor) Soper. He attended country schools and graduated from Anita High School in 1950.

Bud was united in marriage to Donna Rochholz on April 25, 1953. After he was drafted into the Army, Bud and Donna lived in Waynesville, MO while he was stationed at Fort Leonardwood, MO. Later they lived in Colorado Springs, CO while he was stationed at Fort Carson, CO. After being discharged from the Army in 1955, Bud and Donna made their home in Adair. Bud moved to Caring Acres Nursing and Rehab in Anita in August.

In 1958 Bud worked with the crew that graded for Interstate 80 west from Adair and then later down by Des Moines. In 1966 Bud started Soper Construction Company, a business that he owned and operated for 33 years. He built countless ponds, terraces and waterways, and leveled numerous building sites. After a short retirement from Soper Construction, Bud went to work for Cummins Construction in Fontanelle for 12 years.

Bud raised and showed horses for over 50 years, belonging to various saddle clubs during that time.

He was a member of the Adair Presbyterian Church and was a past board member of the Adair Conservation Club. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Bud is survived by his wife, Donna of Adair, IA; his son, Roger Soper and wife, Jan, of Latta, SC; and his daughter, Gwen Ullerich and husband, Chris, of Wiota, IA; five grandchildren, Brian Soper and wife, Amy, of Urbandale, IA, Adam Soper of Salisbury, NC, Crystal Soper of Surfside Beach, SC, Emily Ullerich and fiancé, Nathan Paulsen, of Atlantic, IA and Curtis Ullerich of Santa Clara, CA; seven great-grandchildren, Shyanne Soper of Urbandale, IA, Shelby and Dylan Soper of Adair, IA, Layla and Kallie Soper of Urbandale, IA, and Kenley Ussery and Kelsey Soper of Surfside Beach, SC; one sister, Shirley Hughes and husband, Delbert, of Panora, IA; one step-sister, Joy Downing, of Adair, IA; nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-sister, Peg Downing; and a step-brother, Jerry (Butch) Maas.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church in Adair, Iowa, with burial in Sunnyhill Cemetery, Adair.