John Soderquist

John Alexander Soderquist was born on March 14, 1924 in Minneapolis, MN to Carl August Verner Soderquist and the former Edna Nordine Brorby. John’s middle name was in honor of the doctor that delivered him. The family moved back to Columbus, ND a few months later, where John grew up on the family farm four miles northwest of town. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1942, but missed the graduation ceremony because he became distracted checking his trap lines. That fall, John attended the University of North Dakota to study the Army Signal Corps electrical engineering course. He lived in the ‘temporary’ railroad car housing introduced during the Depression. After completing 2 sections of the course he returned home to help put in the crop and was promptly drafted. John completed basic training and shipped to Europe on January 17, 1945 where he served as a Combat Engineer with the 124th Armored Engineer Battalion, 13th Armored Division, defusing bombs, mines and booby traps. After Germany surrendered, John was shipped back to the US for a 30 day leave before heading for the invasion of Honshu, Japan. Fortunately, the atomic bombs were dropped while he was on leave, ending the war. He was formally discharged on February 12, 1946. In the fall of 1945, John formed a partnership with Melvin Barduson to form Columbus Electric, later buying him out in 1948. The business expanded over the years to include a laundromat and a Gambles store. With the prospect of having a steady job with regular hours, John sold the business and accepted a position in 1962 with the Burke-Divide Rural Electric Cooperative in Columbus as a power use advisor. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1988. On October 23, 1948, John married, Donna Bell [Metcalf] Duncan of Weyburn, SK. He had to pay a bride tax to bring her into the country, and he has been paying ever since [yes, boss]. To this happy union four children were born: two boys and two girls. As long as any of the children were in college, Donna was able to curb John’s thirst for adventure. However, after Joy graduated, he was able to spread his wings and go hang gliding. In retirement John was able to explore his love of sailing. He purchased a 23-foot sailboat, the Blue Joy, which he kept on Lake Sakakawea. He kept a picture of her in his pocket and was sure to show it to everyone he met. In addition, he never tired of showing his membership card to the Dam Yacht Club in Garrison. Summers would often find John sailing to favorite spots on the lake or taking church camp kids for short rides. He even served as the oldest volunteer crewman on board a replica of the Santa Maria sailed by Christopher Columbus as they made their way to Corpus Christi, TX. At age 74, he completed a Coast Guard Auxiliary Sailing and Seamanship course. John was an innovator and inventor. He assisted with the installation of North Dakota’s first UHF television station south of Columbus. Intrigued by plans he found in Popular Mechanics magazine he built a catamaran. He also designed an automatic garage door opener using wooden planks and washing machine rollers, a personalized heating system for Donna, and a magnification setup to help him read his computer screen. Service to community was a hallmark of John’s life. He served as a volunteer EMT/fireman for many years. In later years he volunteered as an AARP tax-aide. John worked with 4-H, was a scout master, and served on the Columbus School Board, 1973-1982. On April 19, 1965 John became a charter member of the Columbus Lions Club. He remained a faithful member for many years and often served in leadership positions. John joined Post 183 of the American Legion in 1946, maintaining 65 years of continuous service. Most importantly, John was a quiet man of faith. He was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus. When the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America formed 1988, John and Donna helped form Faith Lutheran Church, Columbus. His current membership is with Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church, West Fargo. As a result of a serious car accident in 2003, John moved from his beloved Columbus to West Fargo to be closer to family and medical care. On August 20, 2011, John got to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus, face to face. John is survived by his wife, Donna, West Fargo, ND; two sons, Bill Soderquist (Marilyn), Wildomar, CA and Paul Soderquist (Gayle), West Fargo, ND; two daughters, Jill Harsch (Lloyd), New Orleans, LA and Joy Jones (Flynt), Matthews, NC; five grandchildren, Michael Charles (Shannon), Isabell Soderquist, Christopher Harsch, Michael Harsch, and Brister Jones; two great-granddaughters Morgan and Mattie Charles; brothers Dick (Carol), Ukiah, CA, Robert (Rachel), North Canton, OH, Ronald (Elda), Thousand Oaks, CA; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Triumph Lutheran Brethren-West Deacon Fund. Memorial Service will be Thursday at 11 AM at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church (West Campus), West Fargo, ND.