Jean Soderberg

Jean Soderberg

1963 - 2025

Jean Elizabeth Soderberg, 62, passed away September 13th, 2025, after a courageous journey of battling Glioblastoma brain cancer. She was surrounded by family.

Jean Soderberg was born February 5th, 1963, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to Mary and Chuck McGee. Her parents relocated to Green Bay, WI, where Jean graduated from high school. Jean went on to pursue a BA of Nursing, graduating from the University of Milwaukee in 1985. She worked as a nurse for a few years in Wisconsin, then relocated to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of MN. Jean began working for Abbott NW hospital in 1987.

Through another nurse at Abbott NW hospital (Tom's sister Judy), Jean met Tom Soderberg on a blind date, and they were married June 16th, 1990. They lived in Lino Lakes, MN until 1998, when they moved to the Grand Rapids, MN area to raise their family. Jean continued her nursing career with Grand Itasca Hospital, working in Intensive Care, ER, Infusion, etc…then pivoted to Hospice care for her final years of nursing. Jean remained in the Grand Rapids area until her passing. Jean often commented that moving to the Grand Rapids area was the best thing she ever did for our family.

Jean had a soft and warm disposition, which was genuine, and thus she was a pleasure to be around. You were often greeted with a hug or warm smile, and it was followed by some catch-up, or playful banter. Jean had a strong Catholic faith, and since it is based on love and forgiveness, it fit her perfectly. She also taught religious education at the 9th grade level.

Jean loved to sew, making quilts, blankets, clothes, and occasional seamstress tasks for a sports team her children were on. She also could cook for large groups, and loved food prep for grad parties, and mastered a great chocolate chip cookie recipe. She really appreciated the outdoors, and liked living lakeside, and falling asleep listening to the loons call.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Chuck McGee.

Jean is survived by her husband of 35 years, Tom. She is also survived by her four children, Matt (Evelyn), Andy (Nikki), Eric, and Sarah; brothers Jim (Nancy) McGee and Johnny (Sandy) McGee; and grandchildren Nola and James (of Andy & Nikki) Soderberg; sister-in-law, Rosy, Barb, Pam, Judy, Marie, and brother-in-law Rich; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, beginning at 10 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Grand Rapids, MN with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 AM at the church. Fr. Blake Rozier will officiate. Inurnment will take place at the columbarium at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN at a later date.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.