Carmelita Soper

CARMELITA SOPER

Olin

Carmelita Ann Moore Soper, 80, of Olin, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. She was surrounded by her family and a longtime friend. There will be a celebration of life on April 29 at the Olin Legion from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation, to be determined, will be made at a later date.

Cards may be sent to Joe Soper, 17637 80th St., Olin, IA 52320.

Lahey Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time.

Carmelita Ann Moore was born to Ivan H. Moore and Lois M. Pantry Moore in Creston, Iowa. She went to Franklin High School and graduated from Marion High School in 1955. She married Joseph L. Soper on Oct. 11, 1958.

Carm loved to work and started working at May's Drug Store in Cedar Rapids when she was 15 and continued there throughout high school. Following graduation, she worked at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. After moving to the Soper Farm in 1958, she switched to Collins Radio in Anamosa. Then, in 1963, she worked for John England at England's Clover Farm Grocery Store after moving to Olin. She later worked as a bookkeeper for Jim Hess and Bob Hanson at their feed stores. In 1985, she started working for Citizens State Bank in Wyoming and Olin before retiring in 2005.

From 1953 to 1964, she taught Sunday School and Bible School and was a member of the Methodist Church. She was instrumental in bringing Girl Scouts to Olin and was a Girl Scout leader from 1967 to 1971.

Carm was a woman of many talents. She enjoyed music, singing, dancing, roller skating, writing poetry, reading, sewing, golfing, gardening, going to the boat and painting.

Most importantly, she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She spent countless hours playing with them and attending their school events. She left a lasting impression on them and everyone she met.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Joseph L. Soper Jr.; her children, Steven (Nancy) Soper of Olin, Susan Soper of Johnston and Judie (Tim) Williamson of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Heather (Kevin) Skinner of Olin, Kristen (Zach) Himes of Ankeny, Kara Rex of Ames and Kelsey Williamson of New York City, N.Y.; and great-grandchildren, Kolby Soper of Olin, Lauryn Himes of Ankeny and Sadie and Easton Skinner of Olin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lois Pantry Moore Wellman and Ivan and Ida Moore; her brother, Gale Moore; and one very special grandson, Danny Soper.