Mark Eric Soderquist, of Bayport, passed away April 25, 2020 at the age of 70.
Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of Saint Paul (239 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN) will be held at 11:00 am August 21, 2020. Followed by full military honors burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery (7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN).
Due to Covid restrictions there will be no visitation prior to mass. We ask that social distancing be observed and masks are required. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to service for seating.
After graduating from Edison High School in 1968, Mark enrolled at Bemidji State. Mark didn’t much like college life, but he made many new friends and even met the love of his life, Michele Lynch. Mark and Michele’s love grew deeper each day, and they exchanged wedding vows at St. Pascal’s Catholic Church on February 19, 1971. Their marriage was blessed with many happy years together.
Just one month after their wedding, Mark headed overseas. He had enlisted in the United States Air Force. Mark proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He spent a year overseas stationed in Thailand before returning home to his bride. Mark was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1975, but he continued to serve with the Air National Guards.
When Mark returned to the states, he and Michele settled in St. Paul and started their family. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Amie, Jackie and Andrew. Family was everything to Mark. He enjoyed coaching the kids in baseball, hockey and ringettes. The Soderquists also spent a lot of time with their extended family. Mark and Michele always looked forward to having the family together at the cabin.
Mark worked hard to provide a good life for his family. Over the years, he worked for 3M, Sweet Neckwear, Bell & Howell, and Toshiba. Mark spent the last part of his career working in sales for Dell Computers. After retiring, Mark was able to spend more time pursuing his hobbies. He enjoyed woodworking, meeting new friends and traveling with his bride. The entire family took a memorable trip to Sweden to meet Mark’s Scandinavian relatives. Mark was also an avid sports fan. He especially loved the MN Vikings and the Golden Gophers. Every year, Mark and Andrew attended the High School Hockey Tournament together.
Although he had many interests, the most important thing in Mark’s life was his family. He loved his wife and children with his whole heart; but when the grandkids came along, Michele, Amie, Jackie and Andrew dropped in rank. Mark was so thrilled to be Pop Pop to Jackson, Cameron, Christian, Katelyn, Tanner, Shaylee, Elliana, Everly, Griffin & Henrik. He was at every event and never missed a chance to shower his grandkids with love. Mark made each of them feel like they were the most important thing in his life, and they were.
Mark showed his family what it was to be humble, kind and strong. After a short battle with cancer, Mark passed away. He was comfortable in his home and surrounded by his family. Mark’s legacy now lives on in each of them.
Mark is survived by his wife, Michele Soderquist; children, Amie (Roger) Moeller, Jackie (Dan) Hartung, Andrew (Jess) Soderquist; grandchildren, Jackson, Cameron, Christian, Katelyn, Tanner, Elliana, Everly Marquel, Griffin & Henrik Mark. Mark was greeted in Heaven by his precious granddaughter, Shaylee; parents, Rolf & Margaret Soderquist; brother, David Soderquist.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly serves the Soderquist family. www.BallardSunderFuneral.com
