Pastor Albert Soderberg

Pastor Albert H. Soderberg, 81, died August 28, 2005. Services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday at the Word of Faith Church, Bismarck, with Pastor Sam Saylor and Pastor Walter Engel officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 PM Thursday and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday at Eastgate Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church. Albert Henry Soderberg was born in Redlands, CA, to Henry and Harriett on March 21, 1924. His father was a native of Webster, SD, and his mother came from Tagus, ND. In 1927, the trio made their way to Canada to make their home on the farm that Henry Selmer had homesteaded back in 1910. This was located at Senate, SK, which is about 65 miles north of Havre, MT. Albert was the only child of very hard working parents. His dad was an avid hunter and trapper as well as farmer. They didn't have a lot of money but the sale of furs and his mom's abundant garden and canning were some of God's great provisions. The Soderbergs were instrumental in bringing into the community two lady evangelists and soon the first Church of God was established in Canada in the little town of Consul, SK, where Al's parents attended. It was there he found Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Mother Harriett died of a heart attack in 1942, soon after Al took over the family farm. He always had a keen interest in fixing and repairing and soon had a well equipped shop and planned to farm forever. In 1949, God called him into full time ministry. He was a graduate of International Bible College, and he earned a B.A. in Religion from Northwest Bible College. He was a Bible teacher and Business Manager of IBC for nine years. He has pastored and built churches in Sask, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and the Dakotas-Lignite, Wichita Drive Church of God, Bismarck, Garrison, Total Life Centre, Minot as well as filled in as Dean of Students at NW Bible College, pastored and rebuilt the church in Sioux Falls, SD, and later returned to pastor in Lignite. He has been a member of both State and Provincial councils of the Church of God, Cleveland, TN. In semi retirement he was the Visitation Pastor at W. Minot Church of God, and when they moved to Bismarck helped wherever needed at the Bismarck church and in the regional office. Albert also worked for his son-in law, Mike, at Service Master. Late in life he took a computer course allowing him to communicate even more efficiently, writing poems, church bulletins, and letters of encouragement. Al's first wife, Helen Friesen died of cancer in 1955. They had two children, Marjorie and Jim. In 1957, he married Lydia Engel. They had two children, Elana and Peter. Albert Henry Soderberg went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 28, 2005, at the Baptist Home in Bismarck. He is survived by his loving wife, Lydia of 48 years; four children, Marjorie Rod Wigmore of Calgary, AB, Jim Anna Marie of Sandpoint, ID, Elana Mike Nygaard of Bismarck, and Peter Gail of Bismarck; 14 grandchildren, Corinne Manson Hua, Kent Wigmore, Candice Daniel Sellers, Vonda-Lee Wigmore, Johanna Soderberg, Elizabeth Soderberg, Helen Soderberg, Johnny Soderberg, James Soderberg, Peter Soderberg, Marion Soderberg, Nathan Christine Nygaard, Lacey Nygaard, and Emily Soderberg; and one great granddaughter, Trinity Hua. He is also survived by numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as nieces and nephews. Pastor Al was known for his kindness and words of encouragement to young and old. He had a unique sense of humor and a tremendous love for his family, his friends, his church, and his church family. He was also known as a poet, mechanic, car salesman, builder, and all around "handyman". He loved to teach Sunday School and make the Old Testament come alive. He worked hard but also took time to play games with his children and grandchildren, often turning the board around near the end to let them win. Albert Soderberg was a wonderful husband, dad and grandpa, a dear friend and co-worker in ministry and will be dearly missed by many, many people.

Pastor Albert Soderberg

March 21, 1924 - August 28, 2005