David Lowell Soderlund

Our Wonderful and Beloved Dad, David, of Sandy Point Shores, Ferndale WA, left this world peacefully to join our Mom “Betty” and his wife of 59 years, and Jesus, at Whatcom Hospice House at 12:20 AM on Friday, Sept. 19th, 2014, with his family by his side. David was born in Willmar MN, to parents Ezekiel and Edith Soderlund. He was the youngest of 3 with his 2 siblings preceding him in death. David married the love of his life, Elizabeth " Betty" Swanson in Willmar, MN in May of 1953 and joined the Army shortly thereafter where he proudly served in the Korean War. They moved to Seattle where David was involved with auto racing and opening an ENCO service station on Greenwood Ave. They soon moved north to Edmonds where he joined the Shell Oil co.by operating his own 2 bay “full-service" Shell gas station. He was sole proprietor for 30 years before retiring and moving to their beach summer home (at the time) in Ferndale. After a short retirement he went to work at Gundies Auto Salvage in Bellingham. He worked there for about 20 years+/-. He was known by most as "Super Dave". He loved his job there which consisted of many different responsibilities through the years and he made many, many friends there and throughout the community. He never considered it "work” because he enjoyed the camaraderie and he was always considered a part of the Gundie family. He was loved there and will be missed by all. He was retired-again- when his wife Betty’s health began to deteriorate from Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. He was her dedicated caregiver up until her passing in October of 2012. The sadness and grief took a toll on him and his own health, as he had several health problems of his own which he had put aside to take care of our Mom. He continued on in his own home, surrounded by the love of his 2 daughters, Carolyn and Julie and their spouses, up until his passing and we were all so proud of how hard he tried. He was optimistic and kept his sense of humor to his last day. David is survived by his daughters Carolyn Sherwin (Michael) of Bellingham, WA and Julie Cantwell (Tim) of Snohomish, WA and his only Grandson Ryan (15) yrs. old who had a very special spot in Grandpa's heart. He also leaves behind "Toby" his little Pomeranian/Chihuahua that he shared with Betty. Toby never left their sides while each of them was ill. Toby played a big part in helping our Dad move on after our Mom passed. David will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, good nature and his devotion to his family and church. He was an avid NASCAR fan. He was known and loved by so many. He will be missed dearly by friends and family members from within the U.S. They were parents we were very proud of. WE are what we are because of who they were. Our lives will never be the same. A private Inurnment will be at 12:00pm followed by a Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 25th, 2014 at 1:00pm with luncheon to follow at Christ Lutheran Church, 5904 Vista Dr., Ferndale, WA 98248, with Pastor Jana Schofield officiating.