Born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin on January 8, 1936 to LD Edson and Doris Canright Edson (both preceded her in death). She had one sister Diane (Deanne) Edson who preceded her in death.
She wed her former husband, Alfred James Soderberg, on May 3, 1952. They remained lifelong friends. He preceded her in death in 2015. Donna was the proud mother of her five children: Edwin Lee Soderberg (Rose Cabasag), Eric Lawrence who passed in 2016 (Tracy Soderberg), Erland James Soderberg (Elaina Soderberg), Angela Diane Soderberg and Allison Donna Soderberg.
Donna has eight grandsons and one granddaughter: Edwin Soderberg, Michael Soderberg,
Aaron Soderberg (Minda Soderberg), Carl Soderberg (Yang Ruyin), Eric Soderberg (Amanda Mobley),
Hanna Ammons (Victor Ammons), Peter Soderberg (Cara Soderberg), Tony Soderberg and Reuben Cabasag Soderberg. She has five surviving great grandchildren. Savanah and Michael Soderberg; Eli and Aaliyah Soderberg; and Theo Ammons. She was preceded in death (2018) by her great granddaughter Nara Soderberg (Aaron and Minda Soderberg).
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Donna was a stay at home wife and mother when her children were young. She had a variety of positions during her lifetime, to name a few: she owned and operated a restaurant in LeRoy Michigan, she was a deli/bakery clerk for Carter’s IGA and Denny’s, and managed two Subway restaurants both in Big Rapids, Michigan. Donna retired as a greeter for St. Joseph Medical Office Building in Pontiac, MI in 2011. She also volunteered for many organizations during her life: PTA, Easter Seals, Lighthouse in Pontiac and Alice Gustafson Cancer Center – Pontiac, Michigan. Donna loved to garden and was very knowledgeable about plants and flowers. She took pride in having a large, immaculate lawn and garden, which she maintained up until the last two years of her life. She loved singing and was a consummate cook who took great pleasure in preparing many elaborate meals for her family.
Animals were also a passion of Donna's. She was particularly fond of her dogs and cats. She had a horse as a teenager and again when she was in her forties.
Most of all Donna loved to help people especially her loved ones. She touched so many people in her lifetime.
Please come to celebrate this amazing and generous lady. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 4-8PM with a Memorial Service at 6PM at Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Rd., Auburn Hills, MI 48326.
Memorial Donations may be made to the Michigan Humane Society.
