Joyce Elinor Sodergren – Hastings, MN

Joyce Elinor Sodergren, 93, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Hastings Senior Health and Living. She was born into the world November 5, 1929 to Samuel and Hilda Ness Ludford. She grew up in Northeast Minneapolis and was baptized and confirmed at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church. She attended Thomas Lowry Elementary and Thomas Edison High School graduating in the winter Class of 1948. She contracted polio in 1930 and was later hospitalized at the Shriners Hospital spending her 9th birthday there. She was very proud that she was a survivor of polio and had lived so long with its effects. She was involved with Jobs Daughters an organization of young women and was installed Honored Queen of Bethel 19 in June 1948. She was the last surviving member of the “club” Dema Tia, which held lifelong friends. Joyce and Thomas Sodergren were wed December 28, 1953. They became parents to David and Carol. They built a home in Bloomington where Joyce worked at various businesses doing secretarial work before moving to Battle Lake in October 1976. Joyce became the secretary at First Lutheran and Trefoldighed Lutheran for the next 25 years. She enjoyed working with Pastors Glen Anderson, Harvey Pedersen, George Dahl, and several interim pastors throughout those years. She was also involved in the Stephen Ministries and Sons of Norway. A wonderful friend, Kathy Warmbier, another ELCA secretary, traveled together as they retired, creating many fond memories. Joyce loved to knit and if you knew her you probably would be gifted a pair of socks. That was her way of thanking you and showing how much she loved and appreciated you. Though she moved to Cannon Falls last July, she always referred to Battle Lake as her home and she missed it. We are forever grateful to those who looked out for her during the past few years allowing her to stay in her home. Joyce is survived by her son, David and partner, Carol Dunn; grandchildren, Ashley (Doug), Kelsey (Jus-tin) and Jonathan (Kayla); great-grandchildren, Domi-nic, Madison and Ava Joyce; daughter, Carol and husband, Mike and grandchildren, Jason (Bridget), Kristine (Andy) and Stephanie (Evan); great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jace, Maddox and Connor; niece, Jeanne Sheehan and Christine Anderson; and nephew, Mike Gutzke. Many cherished cousins and their families. Blessed be the memory of Joyce Sodergren, a kind and humble servant of God. A short visitation will beat 1 p.m., one hour prior to funeral service which will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, 2023 at First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake.