Chester K. "Chet" Soderburg

Chester "Chet" Karl Soderburg, age 78, passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Essentia – St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota. He was born on July 10, 1946, in Duluth, Minnesota to Herbert and Vivian (Bjorklund) Soderburg. Chet was raised and attended school in Proctor, Minnesota. His love for sports began during his school years when he became a three-sport athlete playing football, baseball, and basketball. Following his graduation in 1964, he attended the University of Minnesota – Duluth where he earned his bachelor's degree. He then enlisted in the United States National Guard, serving his active term at Fort Knox in Kentucky. Chet was united in marriage to Susanne Davis on August 3, 1968, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Midway Township. His work brought him to the Twin Cities, where he held several positions before purchasing Kim's Controls with several business partners. Chet and Susanne raised their family in Isanti, Minnesota. In 2004, they built a home near Duluth and were reunited with their family in Northern Minnesota. They were attending at the Esko Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Sports remained a constant passion of Chet's throughout his life. He continued playing baseball and basketball into adulthood and later took up softball. Chet was active in his children's sports as well and spent many hours coaching their teams. In his later years as his health prevented his active participation in sports, he enjoyed watching sports especially the Minnesota professional teams. Chet truly appreciated the outdoors, whether it was hiking around his home with his beloved dogs, in the Smoky Mountains, or his personal favorite, Glacier National Park. He also enjoyed snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and just gathering as a family at his son's lake home as they did annually for 19 years. Chet leaves a legacy of love for his family; his children and grandchildren brought him tremendous joy and he will be dearly missed.
Chet is survived by his wife, Susanne; children, Robert (Tricia), Michael (Johanna), and Heather (Bruce); grandchildren, Lexie, Kasey, Ada, Jacob, and Caleb; sister, Ruth Olson (Jim Braddy); and many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ralph.
A funeral service in honor of Chet will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko, Minnesota. Visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m., one hour prior to the 3:00 p.m. ceremony. A reception will follow. The interment will be held Friday, April 25, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Augustana Cemetery in Midway Township. Nelson Funeral Care has been entrusted with arrangements.