Martin Peter Soe

SOE

Posted By: Marthann (email)
Date: 11/6/2007 at 20:00:16

SOE, MARTIN PETER
February 26, 1937 - October 23, 2007
Denison Bulletin/Review
11/2/2007

Martin Peter, son of Dr. Albert Herluf and Beulah Marie (Berkemeir) Soe, was born February 26th, 1937, at Carroll, Iowa. Pete graduated from Manilla High School in 1955 and joined the United States Air Force later the same year. He was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, where he met Mary Ann Tatum. They were united in marriage in Abilene in 1957.

After his honorable discharge from the Air Force Pete and Mary Ann returned to Manilla where Pete co-owned and operated Manilla Hardware from 1959 to 1965. They were the parents of two children. Over his lifetime, Pete never applied or interviewed for a job. He was asked to work for Supercross Seeds in 1965 and as it changed hands several times over the years, the new owners always insisted that Pete come with the acquisition. He retired from the seed business in 2000 as District Sales Manager for Mycogen Seed, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical.

Pete was a member of the United Church of Manilla, West Central Shrine Animal Unit, where he was parade chairman for the animal unit for several years, the Mason Lodge and Crawford County Garden Club. He loved his family and friends. His grandsons were his joy and he was able to take them to the Omaha Zoo one last time over the summer of 2007. Pete always had a handshake, smile or pat on the back when he greeted someone and remembered their name whether he had known them for 20 minutes or 20 years.

Pete really enjoyed rooting for the IKM basketball, volleyball and football sports teams. He enjoyed golfing and telling the wide range of stories he collected.

Pete suffered heart problems for a number of years and was undergoing corrective surgery when he developed severe problems. He was life flighted to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, where he died on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at the age of 70 years, 7 months and 27 days.

Visitation was Thursday, October 25, 2007 after 4:00 p.m. at the Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla, IA. Funeral services were held Friday, October 26, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Church of Manilla. Pastor Lanette Plambeck, officiating. Music "How Great Thou Art", "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", "Amazing Grace", Clarice Glidden and Gary Hansen, vocalists, Alice Chance, accompanist.

Honorary Bearers; Robert Lohrmann, Roger Georgius, Jim Heller, Melvin Schechinger, Doug Bornhoft, Lynn Olson, Terry Schechinger, Dan Schechinger, Jim Hermeling, Sam Rauterkus, Melvin Holdsworth, Dale Lafrentz, Roger Conrad, Kenny Ewoldt, Alan Jensen.

Interment with Military Honors American Legion Post 132 Nishnabotna Cemetery near Manilla, IA. Masonic Memorial Service Thursday, October 25, 2007, 7:00 p.m. Ohde Funeral Home, Manilla, IA.

Preceding Pete in death are his parents.

He is survived by his wife of fifty years Mary Ann Soe of Manilla; two children Mark Soe and wife Monica of Des Moines and Shelley Soe of Zearing; two grandsons Jakob Martin Soe and Logan Harrison Soe; sister Sara and husband Dennis Bornhoft of Irwin; sister-in-law Letha and husband Jim Merkle of Snowhomish, WA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
706-5th St.
Defiance, IA 51527