Surnames: Soderberg

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 08/02/1951

Soderberg, Joan (18 MAY 1927 - 27 JUL 1951)

Funeral services for Joan Soderberg, 24, who died at the Stanley hospital, Friday, were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Francis Piekarski officiated and burial was made in the parish cemetery.

Miss Soderberg died of pneumonia after being taken to the hospital on Wednesday. She had been a wheel chair patient since an attack of polio over 10 years ago. She was born here in Thorp.

Survivors are her mother, Mrs. Pearl Soderberg, Thorp, and a brother, Ray of Eau Claire.

(Follow on in 8/9/1951 Thorp Courier)

‘Twas on May 18, 1927 that a bundle of happiness arrived at the Soderberg family at Thorp. The golden haired tyke was named Joan. She was a healthy, normal carefree little girl attending St. Bernard’s Parochial School when on Sept. 30, 1937 she was stricken with that dreadful affliction - Poliomyelitis.

All remedial avenues were sought by her mother, coordinated by the local chapter of the March of Dimes and the Lions Club to no avail. So thorough were the ravages of polio inflicted upon this flower of youth that medical aid was beyond reproach. She was doomed to the wheel chair for the remainder of her days.

Despite this handwriting on the wall, Joan Soderberg looked upon the brighter side of life. From the confines of her wheel chair she studied to graduate from the American Correspondence High School, and took up various hobbies, preparing herself for the future that may have been profitable for her in years to come. Truly like the broken branch of a tree that heals, with the grace of God, to blossom out anew with the advent of Spring, Yes, indeed, defeat she knew not. Many a man has forsaken life for discouragement, but her was a life of hope.

On Tuesday, July 24, 1951, she was taken to the Victory Hospital at Stanley, Wis., stricken with virus pneumonia. At 1:30 p.m., Friday, July 27th, she was called to her eternal home by her Maker, well earned by her worldly achievements.

I and you know well if she could be unhesitatingly would extend her sincere thanks to the Lions Club, the March of Dimes, the many friends, relatives, spiritual advisors and all others that displayed their unselfish aid in truly a time of need.

She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Pearl Soderberg, and one brother, Raymond of Eau Claire.

Funeral services were held at St. Hedwig’s Church at 10:00 o’clock Tuesday morning, July 31, Father Francis Piekarski officiating. Interment took place in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers were Bernard Mertens, Donald Reichert, Duane Jacques, Robert Herman, Robert Telford and Wilfred Vanderhyden Jr.