Ishpeming-James "Jim" F. Sodergren, age 92, of 1052 Cooper Lake Road passed away Saturday May 27, 2017 at Teal Lake Senior Living Community while in the loving care of his family and the caring staff of Teal Lake SLC.--especially Toni and Nancy.

Jim was born May 10, 1925 in Ishpeming to Seth & Ellen (Farm) Sodergren.  He graduated from Ishpeming High School, attended Northern Michigan University but before finishing his schooling, he was called to duty to serve his country in the U. S. Navy.  While in the Navy, 1943-1946, Jim was stationed on the USS Hayter (DE-212) where his job was a sonar operator.  He was presented with a letter of commendation and a ribbon for detecting and sinking a German sub that had sunk their sister ship.

Jim was never afraid of hard work often working two to three jobs at a time to take care of his family. From working for the family business that his father started doing contract painting jobs, to running a saw mill, he was the proverbial true Yooper before the term became popular.

Jim started working as an exploration driller for the Longyear Company in Crystal Falls, later working as an underground exploration diamond driller at the Tracy Mine.  While at the Tracy, he was elected union president which led to his involvement with local politics.  Jim was also elected to the Marquette County Board of Commissioners and while serving there was appointed County Treasurer, a post he held for 28 years until retiring at age 75.  As treasurer, Jim cared and fought for his constituents by pursuing shrewd investments and becoming involved in issues that affected local tax dollars, especially the specific ore tax.  He was proud to call himself the "the tightest bugger in the county!"   He was resourceful not only with our tax dollars but in his personal life as well reusing materials when building anything—right down to straightening bent nails discarded by the mine.  The first house "camp" he lived in after getting married was the old Oscar Sodergren camp which had no electricity, so he dug a basement by hand so he could install a furnace and hot water tank.

Jim was a member of the Coral Group Allegro, the VASA Lodge and a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming where he sang in the choir for 70 years.  Jim enjoyed socializing at deer camp, playing cards, with his favorites being smear and cribbage. He was an avid gardener and was known for his special deliveries of his prized vegetables.  He enjoyed traveling but never wanted to be away from the Cooper Lake Road for any length of time.  It's where he was happiest—checking in on his children on a daily basis to see what they had accomplished for the day.

Jim is survived by 4 children:  James C. (Sandra) Sodergren, Peggy (Bob) Clark, Tom (Debbie) Sodergren and Holly (Jim) Bjorne all of Ishpeming.  Grandchildren:  Brian (Debora) Sodergren, Stephanie (Ronald) Klein, Bradley (fiancé Pam Wellner) Sodergren, Kimberlee (Bryan) Smith, Cory (Amber) Clark, Kellie Clark, Tori (Sean) Connors, Amber Sodergren, Halley (Bobby) Reichel, Jennie (Brandin) Johnson, Hillary (Andy) Lachapell, and Seth (Erika) Bjorne.  Great grandchildren:  Gage, Calli, Kaitlyn, Christian, Nathan, Hannah, Matthew, Preston, Camie, Audrina, Chace, baby girl Clark, Hadley, Jacob, Josie, baby boy Reichel, Jarin, Brady, and Claire, along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Williamina, 2 sisters and an infant daughter Mary Kay and his longtime companion and special friend Karen Williams.

Jim's family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming where a memorial service will be held at noon with Rev. Warren Geier officiating.  A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.

Military honors will be accorded by members of the U.S. Navy honors team.

Memorial considerations may be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in memory of Jim Sodergren.

Jim's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .