Rev. J. Kenneth Soderquist

An area resident for most of his life, he was born Feb. 8, 1922, in Buffalo, N.Y., a son of the late John and Amanda C. Anderson Soderquist.

Ken was a 1940 graduate of Jamestown High School and attended Alfred University Extension in Jamestown in 1941 and the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, Minn., from 1941-42. Following the war he graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., in 1949 and Augustana Lutheran Seminary in 1953.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force serving during World War II in the South Pacific from Nov. 23, 1942, to Jan. 4, 1946. During his tour of duty, he received the American Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Philippines Liberation Ribbon with a bronze star and the World War II Victory Medal.

Before his retirement, he was a minister for the Lutheran Church in America. He began his ministry serving the Augustana Lutheran Church in Tustin, Mich., and then served the Zion Lutheran Church in LeRoy, Mich., Calvary Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, Pa., the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Port Allegany, Pa., and for many years was the pastor for Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lake-wood, N.Y., until his retirement.

Following his retirement he was the assistant chaplain at Lutheran Social Services for several years. The Rev. Soderquist also served as the chaplain for the Chautauqua County Jail in Mayville, N.Y., for 22 years.

Surviving are a daughter, Cheryl Veal and her husband, Gordon of Jackson, Mich.; a grandson, Daniel J. Pinter of Denver, Colo., three stepgrandchildren: Mitchell Veal and his wife, Emily of Napoleon, Mich., Richard Veal serving in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne, Alex Veal and his wife, Erica of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and two great-grandchildren: Ethan and Ashley Veal.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Dawne E. Stohl Soderquis,t whom he married March 17, 1951, and who died Oct. 14, 2015.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, in First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel K. Nagle, pastor will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Lake View Cemetery.

Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service on Monday in the Fellowship Room of First Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St., Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the Lutheran Foundation, 715 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701.

You may leave words of condolence to Rev. Soderquist’s family at www.lindfuneralhome.com.