Obituary of Carl "Verner" Soderberg

CARL VERNER SODERBERG August 25, 1936 – December 21, 2017 Verner Soderberg passed away in his wife’s loving arms on December 21st, 2017 at the age of 81. He was born on August 25th, 1936 at home on the farm to parents Art and Melsey Soderberg in Young, Saskatchewan. He met his wife-to-be Astrid in Sweden while enlisted as a sniper with the Canadian Army (Princess Patricia Light Infantry for three years). Astrid was only 16 years old at the time. Years later he traveled back to Sweden to marry the love of his life on October 25th, 1964. He and Astrid moved back to Canada by boat in January 1966. In the early years in Wynyard he worked very hard for his family, often putting in over 90 hours a week at the Wynyard RM building roads. He loved anything mechanical and anything to do with the earth, and did many different jobs over the years, from landscaping to operating a caterpillar building roads and bridges, working at both Noranda and Allan potash mines, and becoming a farmer in 1974. He was always proud of the work he did and was a very hard worker. This came at a price, as back problems meant in later years he could not do many things he loved. His favorite thing became whatever gardening he could manage, or sitting in the backyard “soaking up the sun” with a beer and a cigarette, always with a big smile on his face. Never wanting for much, he was one of the most gentle souls you could meet, with a huge heart full of kindness and compassion, always befriending the underdog. His wife and children meant the world to him. A year and a half ago, he still drove and lived at home. This changed quickly when he was hospitalized for three months, then moved to PineView Care Home, and later diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia. Thank you to Dr. Surkan and all the caring staff that worked with him. Verner is survived by: his wife of 53 years, Astrid; daughters Elisabeth (Brent Barkman) Soderberg, Mariana (Duane) Sniezek, Christina (Lorne) Thoen; grandchildren Cole and Ellis Barkman, Jonathan and Hanna Sniezek, Anthony, Nathan and Quinten Thoen; and siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his son Kim Soderberg, his parents Art & Melsey Soderberg, his sisters Mavis Brust and Janet Hagel. Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday December 28th, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1796 15th Ave East, Prince Albert, SK with Pastor Íris Kristjánsdóttir officiating. Interment will be held at a later date in the Young Community Cemetery, Young, SK. Donations in memory of Verner may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 1796 15th Ave East, Prince Albert, SK S6V 8A1. Friends and family wishing to send messages of condolence are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.