Dwayne Soderholm

After 78 years of living in Alexandria, Dwayne Soderholm has entered his permanent home in Heaven. He is now singing in the heavenly choir with his beautiful deep voice that touched so many of us. God numbered his days starting February 16, 1934, right here in Alexandria. His parents, Francis and Frankie (Nelson) Soderholm were completely thrilled with their new twins, Dwayne and Darleen. Dwayne attended Alexandria schools. He was the football captain, first clarinetist in the band, participated in the drama club, and the list goes on. There he met JoAnn Granlund, a farm girl from Nelson. Smitten by her beautiful smile he fell in love and married her on June 18, 1955. Dwayne enlisted in the United States Army in 1956 and became a senior radio repairman and also a lieutenant?s driver. When he returned to Alexandria he opened a small gas station serving his customers proudly. After selling the gas station he worked as a salesman for Pearl Jobbing. Spending hours on the road took him away from his family so he became a Prudential Insurance agent for the St. Cloud area. He was so successful at this he was invited to speak at their national conventions. After five years with Prudential he partnered with Woolliscroft Insurance to become your local agent. Dwayne loved the outdoors. He taught many to fish and waterski out on Lake Brophy. He enjoyed snowmobiling and hunting. He built his own home, fixed cars and other machinery, and helped others. The term handyman doesn?t begin to describe all the skills he possessed. He used all these skills to help his family, for family was most important to him. Dwayne Francis Soderholm died Monday, January 7, 2013, at his home on Lake Brophy surrounded by family. He is survived by his children Scott (Kate) Soderholm of Alexandria; Susan (Ken) Persons of Clear Lake; his grandchildren Heather (Chris) Runge of Alexandria, Andrew (Brita) Soderholm of LaCrosse, WI, Malorie (Rob) Lauzon of Little Canada, Sierra, Frankie, and Aidan Persons of Clear Lake; five great grandchildren, and his brother Donald Soderholm of Glenwood. Dwayne was preceded in death by his parents, wife JoAnn Soderholm, and siblings Dolores Hakenson, Darleen Larson, and Kenneth Soderholm. Funeral services were held at the Cornerstone Church in Alexandria with Rev. Darryl Knappen officiating. Music was provided by Frankie Persons and a good old fashioned hymn sing with Lynette Holm on the piano. Interment was in the Lake Geneva Cemetery with Andrew Soderholm, Chris Runge, Rob Lauzon, Aidan Persons, Ken Persons and Fin Runge serving as pallbearers. Military Honors were accorded by American Legion Post 87, VFW Post 936 and the Minnesota National Guard. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria.