Frederick G. Soderquist

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Frederick Gerald Soderquist, age 86, of St. John, IN. He passed away peacefully on February 1, 2025. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Ann, who was the love of his life. He was a devoted father to their four daughters, Cynthia (Ralph) Trent, Deborah Soderquist, Pamela Kasanowsky (partner Eric Wade) and Susan (Jereme) Knauff, and the most loving grandfather to their six grandchildren, Amanda, Ashley (fiancé, Kaleb Granger), Olivia, Sydney, Garrett, and Wyatt.

Jerry was born on April 24, 1938, in Bay City, MI, to Frederick J. and Margaret Soderquist, and had one sister, Barbara Morgan, all whom preceded him in death. He spent his youth and young adulthood in the area attending Bay City Central High School, where he played on the football team and was a proud member of the band as the tuba player. After graduating in 1956, Jerry spent two years studying at Bay City Junior College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

Always a true patriot, Jerry joined the U.S. Navy in 1958 and served until 1962. He trained at Great Lakes Naval Station and spent time in Norfolk, VA, and San Diego, CA. He was honored to serve on the USS Boyd as a Radarman. Jerry spent two deployments in Japan and continued his schooling while enlisted. Jerry was a member of the American Legion where he spent time sharing stories of his Navy days.

Jerry and Mary Ann met in 1961 at the wedding of their dear friends, Steve and Mary Ann Gorog, in Chicago. Jerry stood up as the Best Man and Mary Ann was the Maid of Honor. While they shared their first dance at the reception, Jerry asked Mary Ann if she believed in love at first sight and the answer after 63 years of marriage is still “yes.” They married later that same year at Chapel of the Roses in Chula Vista, CA, and lived in San Diego, CA, before returning to Chicago when Jerry left the Navy.

Jerry earned his degree in Chemistry from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He spent his career working at DeSoto Chemical, NALCO, the Institute of Gas Technology in Chicago and NIPSCO, where he retired from in 2000 in Facilities Management.

During retirement, Jerry enjoyed doing a variety of things and would often say that of all the years he spent as a retiree, he “almost got bored once.” Jerry and Mary Ann relished the many opportunities they had to travel (Alaska, China, Norway, Spain) and had many adventures by car as they both loved to hit the road and explore. Jerry enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s musical concerts, sport competitions, and school events. His grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt, camp, spend time by and on the water, relax in front of a fire and take his family on winter picnics. His love of the outdoors defined who he was to his core. He treasured watching birds and looking at the stars. In the backyard tending to the plants, raking the leaves in fall and being in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan were some of his happy places. Jerry had a keen interest in photography as can be seen in the nearly 50 photo albums he compiled over the years of family events, weddings, and vacations. He would often enjoy a nice glass of bourbon, a cigar, and sit on the back deck with family and friends. He also loved to be in his workshop tinkering and working on projects, which included making and fixing clocks, woodworking, and building things for his grandchildren like doll beds and jewelry boxes. He enjoyed watching sports on television, particularly football. Jerry spent many years as a softball coach where he instilled in his players the lessons of friendly competition, good sportsmanship, and the importance of having fun.

Jerry was the envy of many men whom he encountered because of the thick head of hair he had well into his older years. Some would stop to compliment him and ask what his secret was to having such a great head of hair. Jerry would humbly respond “good genes.” Jerry will also be remembered for his brilliant mind and his sensitive soul. He was a chemist, he was well-read, and he had an impressive breadth of knowledge. While a man of few words, he had a giant presence and made a significant impact on everyone around him. He was known for his immeasurable integrity and being the “go-to” for sound and practical advice. He would often tell his daughters to “not take any wooden nickels” as he left for work in the morning, and he could often be heard saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you strong” and “that’s life in the big city.” Jerry was meticulous about everything he did from building a clock to wrapping Christmas presents. He kept excellent records as the family historian, tracing the family origins back several generations. He took great pride in his ancestry, and it was important to him that his daughters and his grandchildren knew their family lineage.

We will always carry our memories of Jerry in our hearts as a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend. As we accompany him to his final resting place, we wish him “sweet dreams and pleasant nightmares.”

In honor of Jerry, a visitation will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN, 46307, followed by a funeral service from 12:00 - 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in Saint John, IN, or VNA Hospice NWI in Valparaiso, IN, in Jerry’s memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Soderquist family.