Help Vicki Honor Christian's Life and Memory

My name is Kendall Balke. My 31-year-old cousin, Christian Daniel Soper, passed away on May 20th, 2025. He was the youngest of my Aunt Vicki’s two beautiful sons, and the loss of him is beyond devastating for our family. The purpose of this fundraiser is to ease the financial burden of his passing so that my aunt can grieve without the stress of finances and give him a service that honors everything he is and was.

My Aunt Vicki is an amazing mom, sister, aunt, and Nana. After she went through her divorce, she wanted to give her boys the best life she was capable of. Vicki went on to go back to school with a two-year-old and a 6-month-old and graduated from SHSU with her degree in Special Education. Over the past 30 years, she has gone on to teach special education at 5 districts, 7 schools, and has cared for countless children as her own. My aunt would do anything for anyone, but now, in this time of great loss, she needs our help.

My cousin Christian’s health had been deteriorating for several years. In need of a heart transplant, he had been in and out of the hospital numerous times over the past few years. During his most recent cardiac event, we found out he was no longer a candidate after enduring blood sepsis and kidney failure from pneumonia.

Christian was so strong, and after 6 weeks of fighting tremendously hard, he passed peacefully in his sleep.

Throughout his hospital stay, you could almost guarantee Vicki was at his side, day in and day out. Although she would not have had it any other way, this, of course, came at the expense of her built-up sick days, and now with Christian's passing, she is understandably having to take additional time off. This will be cutting into her own income due to not having any more days for sick leave, and my family and I would love nothing more than to be able to relieve her of this stress.

My aunt has been through far too many trials in her life, yet has never faltered in her faith in the Lord. Her ability to remain positive, full of love and life, and kind through everything she has been thrown is nothing but admirable. To know her is to know love, peace, and unwavering support. I have such respect for her, and so does anyone who knows her.

At this time, the greatest need is help for Christian’s funeral expenses and to assist Vicki in the coming months while she navigates this loss.

Vicki (and our families) would be more than grateful if you felt led to help her in this difficult time. Thank you in advance for any contribution, whether it is through a donation, sharing of this fundraiser, or for any prayers; our family sincerely appreciates it all. Please know that every penny raised will be spent to honor Christian and give my Aunt Vicki time to grieve this great young man we all loved dearly.

He sees us in our hurting.

He loves us in our hurting.

He never leaves us in our hurting.

“And if not, He is still good.

Oh, glory, He is still good.” Daniel 3:18