Dorothy E. Soderstrom

Dorothy E. Soderstrom passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on January 25, 2015. She was 89.

Dorothy was born January 14, 1926 in Ritzville, Washington to Carsten Herman & Elizabeth Boyd Hennings. Raised on the family farm and graduated from Ritzville High school. During her working career, she was employed by the State Highway Department and the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company where she met & married Melvin A. Soderstrom, 4-1-1950. Following her marriage, she became a housewife & fulltime devoted mother of her two daughters.

Dorothy was an exceptional mother, grandmother & wonderful friend. So positive about all obstacles in life & saw the good in everything and everyone she met. With a passion for those people who were less fortunate then she & always willing to help in a time of need.

She spent many years of her life enjoying the game of golf with the ladies from the Veteran’s Memorial Golf and was a Charter Member of the Evergreen Garden Club. Woodworking, sewing & gardening were some of her passions.

Dorothy spent many years of her life living independently with the passing of her husband, Mel, on April 20, 1987.

She is survived by her daughters, Gail A. Johnson of Walla Walla & Janis (Don) Dirk of Empress, Alberta, Canada; grandchildren, Dirk (Liz) Johnson of Covington, WA, Brett M. Johnson of Walla Walla, Jared B. Dirk of Empress, Alberta, Canada & Darcee (Jarvis) Smigelski of Oyen, Alberta, Canada. She also is survived by her siblings, Ann Yates of Spokane, Freida (Rudy) Thaut of Ritzville and Willard (Pat) Hennings of Morengo, WA in addition to numerous nieces & nephews.

At her request, a celebration of life will be held at the Pioneer Park Garden Center on March 15, 2015 from 2:00—4:00 PM with a reception for family & friends. Please bring memories to share of Dorothy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice or the Pioneer Park Aviary through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.