Rev. Mary L. Soderholm

Rev. Mary Soderholm, age 70, went to be with her Lord Saturday, June 10, 2017 with her beloved husband David by her side. Mary was born March 11, 1947 to Adrian James and Marion (McCoullee) Schippers in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was raised in Kalamazoo, attending the schools there and graduated in 1965 from Central High School. Mary was devoted to education and the teaching profession throughout her life. She received her bachelors degree from Western Michigan University, received her Masters in Education from Central Michigan University and earned her Doctorate from Ohio State University. Throughout her life she was dedicated to teaching Special Education, first in Marcellus, then Kalamazoo Parkwood Upjohn then finally at Vicksburg where she was involved in student evaluations. Later on Mary returned to the education field to serve the Woodland Elementary School in the Lakewood School District. In mid-life Mary received her call into the ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. She attended the Methodist Theological School in Ohio from 1983 to 1986 when she received her Masters in Divinity degree. In 1986 she was ordained a Deacon in the church and began serving the Banfield and Dowling: Country Chapel Parish; 1991 began serving the Lowell: Snow and the Lowell: Vergennes UMCs; then in 1998 entered into Retirement Relationship with the West Michigan Annual Conference. In 2004 Mary was called out of retirement to serve the Woodland UMC and served that parish until 2009 returning to Retirement Status. Once again duty called and Mary came out of retirement in 2014 to serve the Harrisville, Lincoln UMC Parish where she continued until her death. In 1969 Mary was united in marriage to Len Horn. Their union was blessed with the birth of their daughter Heather. The marriage was ended in 1977. Twenty years went by with Mary living the life of a single Mom. Then in 1997 she met and married Ron Demunter, but the marriage ended sadly four years later with the death of Ron in 2001. Finally, joyfully, Mary met and married her present husband, David Soderholm in June of 2009 and they enjoyed so very much these final years together. Mary was a woman of many talents, great confidence, energy and drive. She was committed to service for others, both in education and Christian ministry. Mary had a heart for people and served them in the church and in the community. She was also an accomplished artist having her paintings on display at the Craft Maker's Cabin in Harrisville and always willing to take her turn greeting the visitors, tourists and art lovers who stopped by. Mary was predeceased by her parents, her younger brother David in 1988 and her husband Ron Demunter in 2001. She is survived by her husband David Soderholm, daughter Heather Horn, Grandson Adrian Horn (fiance Taylor King), Grandson Cordell McDaniel, and Great Grand Daughter Vera Horn. When Mary passed she had lived 70 years, three months and two days exactly. And we join in giving thanks to God for all her life and the ways she made this world a better place for countless people. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday June 17, at the Harrisville United Methodist Church. Visitation at 11:00 a.m, Service at 12:00 noon. Reverend Carl Litchfield presiding. Luncheon following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Alcona Food Pantry or a charity of choice. A second service is tentatively scheduled near Lake Odessa on July 15th. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Mary L. Soderholm, please visit our flower store.