Neil Soderquist

Neil Darrell Soderquist, 89, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2024. Beloved brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Son of Carl and Vivian Soderquist and one of five siblings, Neil was born January 24, 1935 in Chisago City, MN. Growing up there, he developed his lifelong love of fishing. When he wasn’t fishing from an innertube on a nearby lake, he was putting in long days working in the fields. He often reminisced about his mother’s cooking where desserts were served with every meal, his favorite being pies. As a child, the family moved out west to Washington and Oregon before finally settling in Idaho Falls. Neil graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1953 and was a member of the three-time State Championship basketball team which earned him a scholarship to Idaho State University where he studied botany. During his senior year of high school and into college, Neil became enamored with a beautiful young woman named Glenda Thomas. They were married during Neil’s second year in college–a marriage of 62 years that brought them much happiness.

After graduation, Neil, Glenda and their infant son John moved to Oklahoma where Neil was a commissioned second lieutenant in the Army. He missed out on serving in Korea, but remembered his time at Fort Sill as being very trying. One month he played golf 45 times and he and Glenda played bridge most every night.

After returning to Idaho Falls, Neil continued with his lifelong agricultural career, going into partnership with Glenda’s father, Jack Thomas, to run the family grain and livestock business. He and his son John eventually purchased the business from Jack and operated it until retirement. Spring and Fall were always busy times at the grain elevator and Neil appreciated the farmers that trusted their facilities for their grain storage and seed supply. He was recognized by the Idaho Falls Rotary with the Silver Plow Award for his support of the local farming community.

In 1968, the family built their first cabin in Island Park. The kids learned how to pound nails and sweep sawdust, but at the end of the day there was always time to do some fishing and in the fall, go duck and goose hunting. Every opening day of waterfowl season, Neil could be found on Sheridan Creek jump shooting ducks with his grandsons (AKA the duck boys). In 1995, Glenda and Neil spent Super Bowl Sunday with friends in Lake Havasu, AZ. Finding the warm weather to their liking, they continued to spend half the winter in Arizona for 22 years. Upon Glenda’s death, Neil sold the Arizona and Island Park properties and spent the remainder of his life enjoying his family and friends in Idaho Falls. Most evenings he could be found partaking in a gin and tonic and a delicious dinner (always with dessert!) with his daughter Leslie and son-in-law George.

Neil is survived by his sister Ann Stamschror of Los Altos, California, son John (Leslie) of Idaho Falls, daughter Leslie (George) of Idaho Falls, and Grandchildren, JaNeil (Zachary) Schuldt of Idaho Falls, April Clark of Billings, Montana, Ben (Chloe) Soderquist of Logan, Utah, Graham Soderquist of Boise, Travis Soderquist of Idaho Falls and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his good canine friend and lap warmer, Benji.

Neil was preceded in death by his mother and father, son Tom, wife Glenda, and siblings Dolores Olson, Janice Murphy and Gene Soderquist.

The family has entrusted Buck-Murphy Funeral Home with the arrangements. A Private Graveside Service will be held later this year at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls.

Keep Neil in mind when you are casting a fly, swinging a club, or scratching a dog’s ears.