Gene Duane Soderquist

Gene Duane Soderquist, former junior high school teacher and principal for 36 years in School District 25, died on October 20 in a local hospital of complications of Parkinson's Disease and congestive heart failure. He was under the care of Creekside Home Health and Hospice Services.

Gene was born in Chisago City, Minnesota on January 9, 1932 to Vivian and Carl Soderquist. The family moved to Enumclaw, Washington when Gene was a teenager. He graduated from high school in 1950 from Silverton High School in Silverton, Oregon. The family moved to Idaho Falls where he met and married Donna Ruth Ray in 1951. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Five children were born to them: Rick, Lance, Sheryl, Dee, and a stillborn son. Donna died in 1977.

Gene served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1955 as an OE2 on the aircraft carrier, The Coral Sea. After his discharge, he enrolled in Idaho State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and industrial arts education. He earned a Masters Degree in Educational Administration in 1965 and an Education Specialist degree in1980, both from Idaho State University.

Gene taught mathematics at Alameda Junior High School before going into administration, first as vice principal at Hawthorne Junior School and at Franklin Junior High School. Next, he served as principal of Franklin Junior High School for ten years and as principal of Alameda Junior High School from 1980 until his retirement in 1995.

Gene married Lynda Nielson Seek in 1978, and they celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary in June of this year. He became a stepfather to Andrea and Clayton Seek.

Gene was named Outstanding Secondary School Principal for 1989-1990 by the Idaho Association of Secondary Principals. He served as the IASP president in 1975. He served as the Regional Coordinator of the IASP from 1983 to 1986. Also active in The National Association of Secondary School Principals, he served from 1983 to 1991 as Regional Coordinator for NASSP District VII, comprised of state associations of Oregon Washington, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii.

The Franklin Softball Field was renamed The Soderquist Softball Field in a dedication ceremony held on May 26 of 1980. Gene coordinated the construction of the softball field, a project which involved the combined efforts of three local entities. Pocatello School District 25 supplied the property; the City of Pocatello committed to maintaining the property; and volunteers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints supplied the labor for the project.

Gene enjoyed sports all his life. He played high school football and basketball and later coached church basketball and baseball teams. In addition, he enjoyed serving as a referee for school and church games. He also enjoyed several years of service as leader of local Boy Scouts groups. Besides sports, Gene enjoyed travel and immersing himself into projects of all kinds.

Gene is survived by his wife, Lynda; children, Rick (Susan) of Boise, Lance (Sara) of Pocatello, Sheryl (Kevin) of St. George, Utah, and Dee (Tracy) of Bremerton, Washington; stepchildren Andrea Seek of Boston, Massachusetts, and Clayton Seek of Boise; his brother Neil Soderquist (Glenda) of Idaho Falls, and his sisters Janice Murphy of Spring Branch, Texas, and Ann Stamschror (Charles) of Los Altos, California. His survivors also include fifteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and nine nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna, a stillborn son, an infant grandson, his mother and father, a sister, two nephews, and a niece.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 25, at 11:00 a.m. at the Third Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 225 Oakwood Drive, Pocatello. The family will receive visitors from 7:00 to 9:00 on Friday evening, October 24, at the Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave. and on Saturday, October 25, from 10:00 to 11:00 at the Third Ward Church prior to services. Burial in Restlawn Memorial Gardens with military rites by the Pocatello Veterans' Honor Guard will follow the service. Memorial donations may be made to The Primary Children's Medical Center Foundation, Box 58249, Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0249, or to any charity of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel of Pocatello.