Obituary of Lester LeRoy Soberg
Lester (Pete) Soberg, 92, passed away peacefully April 21, 2012. He was born in Moorhead, MN, November 2, 1919, and had one sister, Meriam Cramer (deceased). He married Vera Mae Young (deceased) and had five children: Nancy, Ron (Mary), Margaret Thorne (deceased), Barbara Sabella, and Carol Ebel (Gerry). He had nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was the devoted caregiver to his wife during the last 20 years of her life. Lester earned his undergraduate degree at Concordia College in Moorhead in 1942, and went immediately into the US Army where he served in the European theater during WWII from 1942-1945. Following honorable discharge from the Army, he earned a postgraduate degree at Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Congregational minister. He received a Doctor of Divinity Degree from Yankton College, Yankton SD; the following Citation was read at the presentation of the diploma: “In recognition of distinguished and meritorious services in the Christian tradition … for his progressive ministry from Congregational lay-preacher to professional ministry, to youth advisor, Association Moderator, Associate Minister, Congregational Conference of North Dakota, to President of the North Dakota Council of Churches, to Chairman of the West Central Region Council on Mission Priorities, to advisory board member of the Charis Institute and Great Plains Theological Institute, to elected Vice Chairman of the United Church Council of Conference Executives: with high esteem for these many significant contributions as minister, educator and able administrator…” Lester, known to many as Pete, played college football and remained a fan throughout his life, and in most of his adult life was an avid golfer. Memorial donations may be sent to Blessing House, 13090 SW Laurmont Dr., Tigard, OR 97223.
Memorial service Sunday, June 17, 2:00 pm at Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ, 5150 SW Watson Ave, Beaverton OR 97005.
Grave-site service Monday, June 18, 11:30 am at the Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt. Scott Boulevard Portland, OR 97086
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