Gerrie Soper

A memorial service for Gerrie Soper, age 92, of Gregory, South Dakota, was held at 1 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2026, at Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory with Jan Voelzke officiating. Inurnment will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory at a later date. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Gerrie was born Geraldine May Lanciloti in Santa Monica, California, to Peter Lanciloti and Phyllis Thornton on November 3, 1933. She grew up in Santa Monica where she attended grade school and high school and worked as a waitress to contribute to her family’s income.

She met Robert Soper, and the two were married on January 28, 1954. Gerrie and Bob owned and operated Bob’s Blue Light Tavern in North Hollywood for a time. They moved to Gregory in July of 1959 where Gerrie raised their three children while Bob worked at his parents’ hatchery which they eventually purchased in 1967. Upon purchasing the hatchery, Gerrie worked with Bob to sustain and grow the business. She also kept the books. The business followed the changes in agriculture ranging from purchasing produce, hatching chickens, selling livestock feed, selling motorcycles, buying bulk milk, buying wool, and selling dairy equipment.

Gerrie and Bob loved to bowl, and in 1972 Gerrie’s team won the state tournament bowling title. Gerrie studied for and attained her high school GED diploma in 1974, the same year her two sons graduated from Gregory High School. Gerrie and Bob sold their business and retired in 1992. Gerrie then began following in her mother-in-law Irene Soper’s footsteps buying and selling vintage collectibles and antiques. Gerrie pursued her antiquing with a passion that motivated her to learn to navigate the internet in order to sell her wares on eBay.

Gerrie served on the Gregory City Council for 16 years, as an election worker for many years, on the Gregory Housing and Redevelopment Board for over 40 years, and as one of the original board members of the Buttes Observation Park as secretary/treasurer.

Gerrie passed away at the Avera Gregory Healthcare Center on April 21, 2026, at the age of 92.

She is survived by her children Dale (Mary) and Don (Nancy); stepdaughter Patty Koenig; grandchildren Bob, Ryan, and Logan Soper, Andrew and Maria Soper, Jessica Jensen, and Dee Hayward; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert Soper; daughter Angela; and an infant son.