Obit: Soderberg, Arthur W. (1915 - 2002)
Transcriber: Don Mikolainis

Surnames: SODERBERG VELCHCK HAYES STEWART COLLINS CLEARY

----Source: Don Mikolainis Scrapbook of Thorp Courier Obits

Soderberg, Arthur W. (6 OCT 1915 - 26 JAN 2002)

Arthur William "Pat" Soderberg, age 86, of Thorp, Clark County, WI, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2002, 10:30 at 7:40 a.m. at his home with his family present.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002, 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp with Rev. John Puerner officiating. Burial followed in St. Bernard's Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Brad Soderberg, Jeff, Soderberg, Kurt Soderberg, Scott Soderberg, Anna Soderberg and Jim Collins.

Arthur William "Pat" Soderberg was born in Thorp, WI on Oct. 6, 1915, the son of Arthur and Mary (Velcheck) Soderberg. Pat attended St. Bernard's Catholic School, Thorp Public Schools and graduated from Thorp High School in 1933. On July 2, 1938, Pat married Eileen Marie Hayes of Stratford, WI. For 17 years he worked at Thorp Dairy and Blue Moon Cheese.

He then moved to the family dairy farm where he raised three children. With the kids gone, he went into the auction business with Thorp Finance (later ITT), and he spent the final part of his working career in real estate as owner and manager of Soderberg Realty.

Pat was deeply committed to his family and community, where he supported business, civic, sports, school, and church organizations. He served terms as president of the Thorp Business Association, the Thorp Lions Club, the Cloverbelt baseball league, the Clark County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Thorp Alumni Association, which he co-founded. He has been a member of the Thorp Public School board, the Thorp Catholic School Board, the Victory Memorial Hospital Board, the Peoples Exchange Bank Board, the Knight's of Columbus (4th Degree), the Holy Name Society, and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was a lifelong member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church. He was honored by the Lions International as a Melvin Jones Fellow, a humanitarian award. He loved to reminisce with friends and alumni. Pat wrote a history of Thorp Business for the Thorp Historical Society.

His is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eileen; his three children: Don (Kathy) of Stevens Point, WI, Bill (Susan) of Germantown, MD, and Carol (John) Stewart of Plover, WI. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Brad (Linda) of St. Louis, MO, Jeff (Terri) of Mosinee, WI, Lisa (Jim) Collins of Dubuque, IA, Kurt (Paula) of Milwaukee, WI, Scott of Cedarburg, WI, Beth of New Berlin, WI, Megan of New Berlin, WI, Anna of Portland, OR, Jenka of Washington D.C., and Keir of Cap Town, South Africa. Pat was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Doris (Robert) Cleary of Beaverton, OR.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Eugene in 1932 and Gerald in 1997, and one sister, Marjorie in 1978.

The family wishes to Thank the dedicated staff of St. Joseph's Health Services and Hospice in Chippewa Falls, WI, whose care and comfort made the death experience as human and family centered as possible.