Harold Jerome '(Jerry)' Soderberg

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Soderberg, Harold Jerome (Jerry) Lawyer, Political Advisor and Businessman Age 86 of Delray Beach, FL and Hudson, WI, passed away peacefully in his Florida home on Wednesday, May 6, 2015. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlys (Rosacker) Soderberg, daughter Noel Soderberg Evans, parents Harold and Mildred (Barr) Soderberg and sister Gloria Sims. He is survived by his wife Janet (Fischer) Soderberg; son Jerome (Rose) and their daughters (Danielle, Annika and Haley); his son-in-law Jack Evans and his and Noel's children (Katherine, John and Christine); his son James (Heidi) and their sons (Jake and Ryan); his son John (Soonie) and their son (Tyler); his son Jeffrey (Suzanne) and their daughter (Lauren); his daughter Sheri (Dragomir) Cioroslan and her son (Charles Pittman) and his daughter (Rebecca); and son Thomas and his sons (Samuel and Zachary). He is also survived by his step-son Scott (Raychelle) Fischer and their children (Bethany, Isaac, Leah, Rachel, Faith, Jordan and Anna) and his step-daughter Elizabeth (George) Nader and their children (Miles, Nicolas, Joseph, Noah and Maia). Other survivors include his brother James (Carol), Diane Rosacker, Arthur (Barbara) Rosacker, Jr. and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Jerry was born on July 8, 1928 and grew up in South Minneapolis, where his parents owned and operated Soderberg's Floral. He attended Saint Thomas Academy (graduating at the age of 16), the University of Notre Dame (during a golden era of Notre Dame football) and the University of Minnesota Law School. During the 1950s Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Officer's Program and he served for six years in the Army reserve. He was with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, under Attorneys General Miles Lord and Walter Mondale, where he represented the State of Minnesota in many cases before the Minnesota Supreme Court and once represented the State in a case before the United States Supreme Court. He subsequently worked in private law firms in Minneapolis. Jerry married Marlys in 1952. They had seven children: Jerry, Noel, Jim, John, Jeff, Sheri and Tom. They had a wonderful forty-year marriage until Marlys' untimely death in 1993 from cancer. Jerry and Marlys shared not only in raising their children, but also in all of Jerry's professional, political and business activities, including duplex and apartment building ownership and establishing horse farms in Montrose, MN and in Hudson, WI, where they hosted annual barn parties. They enjoyed going to movies, Marlys playing the piano, walks around Lake of the Isles and taking family trips to Northern Minnesota, Washington, D.C. and Delray Beach, FL. Jerry and Marlys took great pride in each of their children's personal, professional and athletic accomplishments. Jerry had entrepreneurial success in law, real estate and banking. Over his legal career, Jerry represented numerous major national and state corporations, financial institutions and trade associations. He held the highest possible professional rating as an attorney. For two decades Jerry was the managing owner of a 20-attorney law firm, Hessian, McKasy and Soderberg, in downtown Minneapolis, where he supervised and mentored the firm's attorneys; he was especially proud that attorneys in the firm experienced professional growth, and that four attorneys in the firm were appointed as judges in Minnesota courts. His real estate ventures included ownership interests in numerous apartment complexes in the Twin Cities area. His banking interests in the 1980s and '90s included ownership or founding partner in the State Bank of Wood Lake, Edina State Bank and New Hope State Bank. Other business interests included ownership of the St. Croix Equestrian Center in Hudson, WI, and, in the 1980s, Soderberg's Floral. Jerry maintained a lifelong interest in national politics, and had a particular passion for presidential campaigns. He was an active supporter, fundraiser and advisor for Vice Presidents Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale, and supported other presidential candidates including U.S. Senators Adlai Stevenson, George McGovern and Paul Simon, serving as National Finance Chairman for Simon's presidential campaign in 1988. He also supported numerous Congressmen, and had particularly close relationships with Reps. John Blatnik and James Oberstar. Blessed with excellent health until recent months, Jerry spent the last twenty years of his life with his vibrant and devoted wife Janet in sunny Delray Beach, Florida while returning to the horse farm in Hudson, Wisconsin for the summers. Jerry loved reading, playing golf and bridge with his friends and doing crossword puzzles. Janet infused Jerry with her vitality and spirituality. She and Jerry made many valued friends in Florida and Minnesota. Jerry and Janet also relished time spent together traveling the world, including recent trips to Ireland, France and China. Most importantly, they valued the joys of their day-to-day lives together creating wonderful memories such as playing Gin before going to sleep, and Jerry was always happy to have Janet simply sitting next to him. As family patriarch, Jerry treasured hosting the annual family vacation at Lake Vermilion in Northern Minnesota. Jerry had fond childhood memories of summer camp on Lake Vermilion and was able to make new memories with all of his family. Jerry also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren in Florida, including highly competitive "Oh Heck" card games, golf, beach days and pool parties. Jerry was regarded for his keen intellect and wit. He will be remembered for his big heart, old school charm and million dollar smile. He had a fervor to keep up with current events combined with a caring concern for our world. Jerry gave generously to many worthy causes.In his final days, Jerry received loving care from Janet and all of his children. He spread the message of enjoying life to its fullest and appreciating family and friends. He exhibited bravery and the peace of mind of a life well-lived. Jerry believed in leaving a place in better condition than when he got there. Because he lived his life that way, he helped to make the world a better place. Jerry is cherished as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will live on in loving memory in the hearts of the many persons whose lives he touched. There will be a visitation from 4-7:00 PM Friday May 15th with a 7:00 PM Memorial Service at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, West 50th Street and Vernon Ave. at Hwy 100, Edina. Mass of Christian Burial 1:00 PM Saturday May 16th with visitation beginning at 12:00 noon at The Basilica of St. Mary, Hennepin Avenue at 17th St. Minneapolis. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights. Memorials preferred to the Basilica Landmark. washburn-mcreavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on May 10, 2015