Richard Soderberg

Obituary of Richard Herbert Soderberg

Richard Herbert Soderberg, 94, passed away peacefully at the Franciscan Health Center, on Friday, June 5, 2020, with family by his side. Richard, “Ranger Dick”, “Bumpa”, “Didder”, was born November 3, 1925, in Frederic, Wisconsin, where he grew up on the family farm and attended school. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps. A brave World War II veteran, Richard served with the fifth marine division and fought in the battle of Iwo Jima, where he received a purple heart. After returning home from war, he was a hard-working employee at Elliot’s Meats (where he met his future wife, Ruby), Frank’s IGA, and Community Market. He married Ruby in 1949 and one year later they had their first child. Richard built his family home from the ground up while holding down a full-time job. He attended Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church, where he was a custodian, a pasty dough maker, and the king of roasting lamb for church functions.

Once retired, on any given day Richard could be found hiking in the back 40, making walking sticks and weather vanes, waiting for Ruby outside the beauty parlor or reading in his favorite chair. Over the years he took countless trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, which continued well into his 80’s. He later enjoyed riding through the woods on the four-wheeler that he bought himself on his 90th birthday. He shared his love for paddling and portaging with his children, grandchildren, nieces and sister Florence, creating a legacy and a lifetime of memories.

Richard devoted his life to being a loving husband, father,grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Soderberg; brother, William Soderberg; sister Florence Soderberg; and son in law Robert Black.

He is survived by his children (his herd of turtles), Brenda (Rich) Windsor, Shelley Black, Wendy (Howard) Vincent, Richard D. (Mindy) Soderberg, Tammy (Tom) Carlson; thirteen grandchildren; Aaron, Adam, Jared, and Shelli Windsor; Justin and Nathan Black; Marco and Ian Vincent; Cortney and Alison Soderberg; and Mariah, Mikayla, and Tanner Carlson; seventeen great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends

Richard will be remembered for his love and devotion to his wife Ruby and their family. He will also be remembered for his kind and gentle presence, wry sense of humor, his many stories and songs, and his famous happy hours. He was quiet and gentle, but his laughter would fill the room.

A private family funeral service will be held on Saturday June 13th at St George Serbian Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church, Franciscan Health Center, or Saint Croix Hospice.

Our family would like to express our gratitude to the amazing staff at Franciscan Health Center, and St. Croix Hospice, who cared for our dad with such love, compassion, and dignity.

A Memorial Tree was planted for Richard
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Cremation Society Of Minnesota | Duluth