Obituary of Arvid L. Sodergren

LITTLE FALLS Arvid L. Sodergren, 83 formerly of 243 Burwell St., Little Falls and since 2008 residing at 11 Apple Grove, New Hartford passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at the Martin Luther Home, Clinton. He was born on April 4, 1926 in Hamlet, NC the son of the late Oscar and Hazel (Stinson) Sodergren. He graduated from high school in Vermont and attened the University of Vermont and Norwich University of Vermont. He was united in marriage to his wife of 57 years the former Elma Rich on February 14, 1952 at St. Josephs Church, Little Falls. Mr. Sodergren was a veteran of World War II serving with the US Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1947. He was a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Little Falls. As well as a member of the Elks Lodge # 42 B.P.O.E, Little Falls where he enjoyed playing cards and smoking cigars. He was also a member of the former Little Falls Kiwanis Club. Mr. Sodergren came to Little Falls in 1951 as the manager of the former JJ Newberry Store. For several years he served as the Director of the Little Falls Housing Authority and for over 25 years was the City of Little Falls Tax Assessor retiring from that position in 2006. For many years he along with his wife Elma owned and operated Sodergrens Jewelry Store, Little Falls and later The Hut Sub Shop. He is survived by his wife Elma, his daughter Gail Sodergren and her husband Allan Erb, New Hartford, 2 brothers Rev. Oscar Sodergren and his wife Doris, Scotia, NY and John Sodergren and his wife Janet, Brockton, MA, 2 sisters Marjorie Moller, Avon, MA and Janet Sodergren, Rutland, VT and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Charlotte Ferraro. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 10:00 am from the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls with the Rev. Dr. Steven A. Scarcia, Rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Little Falls officiating. Interment will take place in St. Marys Cemetery, Town of Herkimer. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the funeral home on Friday, August 14, 2009 from 5-8 pm and to attend the funeral services Saturday morning. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. Sodergren be considered to Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose. Members of the Elks Lodge # 42 will call in a body at the funeral home on Friday evening at 6:30 pm to conduct their ritualistic services.