Lois Theresa Soderstrom

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, Lois Theresa Soderstrom (Spreadborough), passed away on Saturday May 7, 2022. The lives that she touched in her 92 years are numerous.

She was born on August 18, 1929 in Kalama Washington. She was the first child born to Arthur and Genevieve Spreadborourgh. Lois had a very happy childhood and often reminisced on the “Good Old Days.” Her children and grandchildren were often regaled with tales of a simpler time. She graduated in 1947 from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Salem Oregon, the same school that three of her four children also attended.

When she decided to attend a dance at the Crystal Ball Room in Salem, little did she know that she would meet the love of her life, Duayne Soderstrom. Duayne and Lois were married on May 1, 1951 at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Salem by Fr. John Reedy. Exactly 25 years later, Lois' eldest daughter was also married on May 1, also at St. Vincent and also by Fr. John Reedy

We grew to know Lois through her compassion and volunteerism. After working at Woolworth's department store, she began a career as a school bus driver for Salem-Keizer School District. Lois specifically was the driver for students with special needs and it was a career that she thoroughly enjoyed. She was a volunteer 4H leader, where she led a cooking club and a horseback riding club. For 20 years, she volunteered as a support vehicle driver for the annual Monster Cookie Bicycle Ride where she helped transport riders and provide food and water. She helped with McNary High School's Equestrian Team where she made her famous chili and cornbread. She brought the chili in a huge crockpot and rice cooker. The kids would always look forward to her chili.

She believed strongly in civic duty and was a Voting Precinct Chairman for many years before Oregon moved to vote by-mail. She was proud to declare that her first presidential vote was for Gen. Eisenhower.

Lois also had a fondness for animal friends. While she preferred the company of cats, she found time to care for the various horses, dogs, goats, cows, geese, sheep, and llamas on her farms. Her grandchildren fondly remember all the fun and exciting adventures visiting the farm. The farms were so popular that local schools took field trips to visit. Lois even enjoyed the company of a pet tarantula named Emily which not many visitors were anxious to pet.

Lois enjoyed ceramics and each house she lived in needed to have a ceramic studio. In her later years, she was most proud of her collection of ceramic Santa Clauses from around the world. This set followed her to her very last residence.

Finally, Lois was proud of her Catholic faith. She demonstrated her love for the Lord through her seeing only the good in others. All children and adults were welcome to call her Grandma and she saw herself as being as responsible for their care just as much as if they were her own. Now that she has passed into the embrace of Christ, we should remember that while this is the end of her physical life on Earth, it's the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for Lois.

Lois is survived by brother Gary (Judy) Spreadborough, daughter Mary Ann (Hersch) Sangster, sons Shawn (Kathy) Soderstrom and Kevin Soderstrom And several grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband Duayne Soderstrom, daughter Kristi Soderstrom, parents Arthur and Geneveive, brothers Dean, Jack and sister Lou Ann.

The family would like to the thank the excellent staff and nurses at The Arbor at Avamere Court and Serenity Hospice for their help and support.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Edward’s Catholic Church in Keizer on Thursday May 19 at 10:30 am with Fr. Gary Zerr officiating. Burial will be at City View Cemetery in Salem.

His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:23

Her funeral mass at St. Edwards can be streamed at https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-for-lois-soderstrom-rzstu4yo2gjsr31ez4yg

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hed-fh.com for the Soderstrom family.