Obituary of Lorraine L. Soderquist

Soderquist, Lorraine L. (Peterson) died suddenly on May 20, 2021. She was born April 17, 1926 to August and Sigrid Peterson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from Columbia Heights High School in 1943 and worked in various jobs over the years, including ammunition plants during World War 2. She met and married Donald A. Soderquist and they raised 4 children in Soderville where Donald and Lorraine co-owned Soderquist's, the local grocery store. \ Lorraine was active in the Soderville Mother's Club, a member of the Anoka County Welfare Board and an active member and supporter at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Lorraine was a champion golfer at the Forest Hills Golf Club in Forest Lake. She learned to golf and ski as a teen, by sneaking onto the Columbia Park course, in their neighborhood at night with her brothers and learned how to play with just one club. For many years, she was a member of the "Heights Bunch", a very active social group and also a founding member of the "White Convertible Club." Lorraine was a lifelong learner and adventurer who enjoyed travel with Donald and with friends. She also took her daughters and grandchildren on various journeys including numerous trips to New York, Paris and London. Her passion was watching movies, reading, studying history and playing volleyball. Lorraine was a remarkable woman; she was very tech-savvy despite her age and was proud of her ability to use the latest electronic devices. She took charge of the books at her apartment building and created a very active library. She was also a prolific letter writer and sent thoughtfully selected birthday greetings and important articles to family and friends. (Plus an occasional letter to the editor.) Florida was Lorraine and Donald's winter destination for over 25 years and while there she volunteered at North Collier Hospital in Naples. Her volunteer job centered in the transportation department, moving patients around in their wheel chairs. While volunteering she made a whole new group of friends. Countless happy hours were spent at the beach looking for shells. She was always very active, walking 2 or 3 miles each day. She led her neighbors in an aerobic class where she lived. And she was still tap dancing until the end. (Only dancing while in the elevator, so as not to disturb the neighbors.) She usually had a hat on and they looked great on her. She and her world-famous cookies will be missed by all who knew her. Preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents and seven brothers and sisters She is survived by her children, Linda (Rick), Dave (Nancy), Cheryl (Tom) and Mark. She is also survived by her brother Willard Peterson, many nieces and nephews and her 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, who fondly called her Gigi. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2pm on Friday, June 18th, 2021 at the Old Swedish Lutheran Church, with visitation starting at 1:00. The Old Church was founded and built by Lorraine's grandfather and her great-grandfather in 1872. This building is on the National Registry of Historic places. The church is located at 2200 Swedish Drive NE in Ham Lake, Mn 55304. To honor her legacy, contributions can be made to the Old Church Fund at Our Saviour's, mailing address is: 19001 Jackson St., NE, East Bethel 55011.