Loretta Shirley "Lou" Soderstrom

Loretta "Lou" Shirley Soderstrom, age 90, passed away on Friday August 8, 2025, in Shawano. Lou was born on March 17, 1935, in Spirit, Wisconsin, daughter of Walfred and Violet (Ahl) Dahl. She grew up on the family farm along with 11 siblings.

Lou was musical, even at an early age. As a young girl she sang on the radio with her sister. As a young woman, Lou met John "Sody" Soderstrom. They fell in love and were married on July 3, 1954, and enjoyed 46 years together until John's passing in 2000. In those years Lou was a homemaker caring for their four children. She also loved to refinish old furniture and had many antique item collections. You could always see her out in their yard raking and taking care of her flower gardens. Her musical talent was playing organ, and she loved playing at many family reunions. She also enjoyed puzzles, baking, and listening to country music.

Together Lou and John loved going to stock car races and going to hear their country music favorite, Bobby Darren at Shawano's Jerrys Country Sound, now known as Luigis.

Lou will be affectionately remembered as a kind soul, despite her stubbornness which she attributed to her Swedish heritage.

Lou is survived by her four children, John (Laura) Soderstrom, Cinda (Mike) Paiser, Lori (Rick) Opperman and Mark Soderstrom, all from Shawano; five grandchildren, Tiara (Jess), Kirstyn (Paul), Ethan (Krista), Ashley and Anastasia; three great-grandchildren, Eleonore, Alfred and Calista.

Lou was preceded in death by her husband, John; brothers, William Dahl, Stanley Dahl, Harold Dahl, Robert Dahl and Roger Dahl; sisters, Eileen Nelson, Stel Carlson, Vivian Berg, Betty Komarek and Arlyss Niemi.

A private family memorial services are being held on August 15, 2025. Inurnment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano.