Weldon Leroy SODERSTRUM

SODERSTRUM, MURPHY, HELGEVOLD, LITABA, STUDER, PETERSON, DANNER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/19/2012 at 18:39:10

March 30, 1930 ---- June 17, 2012

Waukee, IA -- Weldon L. Soderstrum, 82, formerly of Eagle Grove, Madrid and Adel, passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2012 after a brief illness. In agreement with his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of Weldon's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, at his residence, Thomas Place, 560 SE Brick Dr., Waukee, IA. A private interment will be held at a later date at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eagle Grove, Iowa.

Weldon was born March 30, 1930 on a farm near Boone, Iowa to Guy and Sada (Murphy) Soderstrum. He was a 1948 graduate of Luther High School. Weldon served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953. Upon his honorable discharge, he managed a shoe store in Eagle Grove, Iowa, where Weldon met his future wife, Doris E. Helgevold. She was his best customer! They were united in marriage on January 15, 1956 and they lived happily together for 56 years. In 1964, Weldon and his sister, Retta Soderstrum opened the Madrid Flower Shop, where he worked until 1994. In that year, he contracted the rare illness, Guillian-Barre Syndrome, which challenged him for the rest of his life. In 2000, Weldon and Doris moved to Adel, where they managed Prairie Village Apartment complex. The couple was named State Site Managers of the Year in 2010. They retired to Thomas Place in Waukee in August 2011.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Soderstrum of Waukee; daughters, Suann (Nelson) Litaba of Wright, Wyoming, Jan Soderstrum of Adel, and Sally Studer of Perry; five grandchildren, Danielle Litaba of Wright, and Chelsey, Cyanne, Carigan, and Camden Studer all of Perry; brother, Vernon (Alta) Soderstrum of Boone; sisters, Retta Soderstrum of What Cheer, Shirley (Jerry) Peterson of West Des Moines, and Ruthe (Dick) Danner of What Cheer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Weldon attracted people to him and was always willing to lend a listening ear. He was a truly thoughtful, caring, and unique man with an endless sense of humor. He is, and always will be missed. Cards of condolences may be sent to: Doris Soderstrum: 560 S.E. Brick Drive, Apt. 322; Waukee, Iowa 50263.

Des Moines Register -- Iowa
June 19, 2012