Effie Sopher
Effie Sopher
Effie Sopher
June 26, 1922 – October 13, 2014
Pella (Oskaloosa), Iowa | Age 92
Effie J. Sopher, 92, of Pella and formerly of Oskaloosa died Monday, October 13, 2014, at the Pella Hospice Comfort House in Pella. She was born June 26, 1922, near Prairie City, Iowa, the daughter of John and Anna Louwsma Slagter.
Following school, Effie went to work with area families helping them with housekeeping, cooking and caring for their children. On August 24, 1940, she was united in marriage to (Earl) Leroy Sopher at Lancaster, Missouri; Leroy died September 18, 2008. Following their marriage, Effie stayed home to raise her family. When her children were grown she went to work at the King Leer Motel as a bookkeeper for 9 years. She then did demos at Econofoods for several years.
For over 20 years LeRoy and Effie camped at Howell Station at Lake Red Rock. She enjoyed walking, camping and reading. Effie was very active at Central Reformed Church for about 60 years and Pheobe Sisters. She was also a member of Faith Circle, King’s Daughters and volunteered for several years at the hospital snack bar.
Her family includes her two children and their spouses: Wayne (& Joyce) Sopher of Oskaloosa and Beverly (& Jim) Belzer of New Sharon, Iowa; six grandchildren: Cheri Helmick (& Max Benge), Marla (& Scott) Williams, Steve (& Melanie) Sopher, Julie (& Kent) Verros, Chris (& Lisa) Belzer, and Cindi (& Dave) Dhabalt; 16 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; two brothers: Melvin (& Shirley) Slagter of Zellwood, Florida, and Donald (& Louetta) Slagter of Pella; three sisters-in-law: Nellie Slagter of Branson, Joanne Slagter of Oskaloosa, and June Slagter of Pella.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers: Henry, Marion, George (& Laura), John, Jake (& Cena), and Bill (& Josephine) Slagter; four sisters: Tina (& Ted) DeHaan, Margaret (& Charles) Street, Tressa (& Carl) Van Dusseldorp, Nellie (& Tim) Meinders.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 17, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Andy Baker officiating.
A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. in the church fellowship hall.
Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.
Visitation will begin Thursday, October 16, 2014 after 2 P.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be present at the funeral chapel from Thursday from 5 – 7 P.M. to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Pella Hospice Comfort House.
