Robert William Soderbeck

Robert W. Soderbeck was born July 13, 1920, to Magnus & Margaret (Thill), in Pine City, MN. He was one of 14 children. He passed away November 21, 2012, at North Memorial Hospital as a result of a fall during deer season. On December 5, 1942, her married Adeline Schumacher at Zion Lutheran Church in Pine City, to this union six children were born. Robert and Adeline farmed all their near 70 years of marriage east of Pine City. In his youth he helped his father and brothers run a sawmill and the Riverdale Ferry at Soderbeck’s Landing on the St. Croix River east of Pine City. In his younger years he was part of the Flying Soderbeck’s Ski Jumping team. Besides his main occupation of farming, he worked as a mechanic during the winter months in Pine City and Grantsburg. Robert also sold Christmas trees in the Twin Cities. He graded and plowed snow for Pine Township for many years and did custom combining of grains for many local farmers. He sold Nachurs liquid fertilizer and provided a fall Hoedown for all his customers and friends for many years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting even at the age of 92. Singing and playing his guitar was a highlight of his life. He sang at his grandchildren’s weddings, at community centers and nursing homes and for many birthdays and anniversaries. He took the stage at the Midwest Country Theater in Sandstone. He treasured his time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Robert was a member of the Jasper Masonic Lodge #164, Pine City Township Board, Milburn Cemetery Board and the Milburn Telephone Company board. He enjoyed coffee with his McDonald's friends as many days a week as he could. Visiting with people was his favorite thing to do. He could talk politics, farming, fishing, hunting, anything you could think of. Robert is survived by his wife Adeline, children: Joanne (Doug) Miller, Litchfield; Larry (Linda), Pine City; Karen (Pat) Monigold, Apple Valley; Marjean (George) Shermer, St. Francis; John, Pine City; and Mark (Roxanne), Pine City; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, two sisters: Alyce Hausam, Ft. Meyer, FL. and Marjorie Duff, Sun City, AZ; sister-in-law Helen Soderbeck, St. Paul; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by parents Magnus & Margaret Soderbeck, brothers, Roy, Archie, William, George, Albert, Carl & Clarence and sisters Florence, Emma, Gertie & Carrie and an infant sister. Blessed be his memories. Reverend John Hanson will officiate funeral services for Robert Soderbeck at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 24th at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City. A time of visitation is scheduled from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday November 23rd at the funeral chapel with a 7:00 p.m. Masonic Service. Interment will be at Milburn Cemetery. Funeral arrangements for Robert Soderbeck are with the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City – Swanson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com