Obituary: Alice L. Soderblom (4/16/1938 - 9/12/2016)

REDLANDS>> Alice Luella Soderblom, a long-time resident of Yucaipa, passed away Sept. 12, at the age of 78, after a long battle with brain cancer. Alice was born in Central Square, N.Y. on April 16, 1938 to Leonard and Martha Lastine. She attended Union Springs Academy in Union Springs, N.Y, graduating in 1956. The same year she started pre-nursing at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts. It was there she met a pre-medical student, Robert Soderblom, whom she subsequently married on Aug. 14, 1960. The couple then moved to Loma Linda, California where her husband was a student at the College of Medical Evangelists, now known as, Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Alice had completed her nurse training at New England Sanitarium and Hospital in Boston. Their first child Douglas Kevin was born 6 weeks before her husband graduated from medical school in June of 1963. Alice and her husband then moved to Takoma Park, Maryland where her husband completed his medical internship. During that year in 1964, their second son Alan Bryce was born. After serving for two years in the U.S. Air Force at James Connelly Air Force Base in Waco, Texas in 1964-1966, the couple returned to Loma Linda where her husband completed an Internal Medicine Residency in 1969. Their daughter, Sheryl Denise, was born in 1968. From 1969-1971, Alice's husband took a nephrology fellowship at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas following which the family returned to Loma Linda to join the faculty of Loma Linda University School of Medicine as a nephrologist. The couple moved to Yucaipa where they have resided since 1972. Their fourth and last child, Debra Sue, was born in 1973. Since moving to Yucaipa, the family has remained long time members of the Calimesa SDA Church. Alice, in addition to her love and devotion to her family, was active in various ministries of the Calimesa SDA Church, including over the years being head deaconess, chairman of the decorating/remodeling committee, chairman for potluck dinners and funeral dinners and a member of the finance committee. She was involved at Mesa Grande Academy; a Christian school associated with the church, and was President of the Home and School Association . Alice served on the Executive Committee of South Eastern California Conference of SDA's for eight years, and was a member of the Pacific Union Conference of SDA's Executive Committee. She was an avid supporter of women in the ministry. Her husband, teaching and practicing at Loma Linda School of Medicine, led to her involvement with medical students, medical residents and their spouses and served in 2002 as the President of the National Auxiliary of the Alumni Association of Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Her family says she was a fabulous cook and one given to hospitality and a number of times was known to personally cook and serve full home cooked meals to 75-100 and more medical students for a Friday vespers at her home. In 2004 she was named Woman of the Year by the Auxiliary. Approximately 10 years ago she became acquainted with a national ministry called "Prayers and Squares", a quilting ministry, which brings comfort to individuals or families suffering a "crisis" in their life. Alice with her love for people and specifically those experiencing pain, suffering and loss in their journey of life, sparked the beginning of "Prayers and Squares" at the Calimesa SDA Church, a ministry now involving numerous ladies at the church. To date the ministry has given out over 400 quilts, each quilt bathed in knots that are hand tied by numerous individuals while simultaneously offering a prayer. This ministry was a passion of Alice's. Alice and her husband were partners, a team, in sponsoring and coordinating the Calimesa Community Concert Series, now in its 30th season, providing Christian concerts to the Inland Empire area. For years she assisted in the task of ticket sales sharing her love and kindness to hundreds over the telephone. Her family says she had a talent and love for cake making and decorating for weddings, anniversaries and birthdays, putting into each cake her own personal touch of love. At Christmas time she loved to have the children in her kitchen and dining room making festive gingerbread houses. "Though the list of her accomplishments is lengthy; most would not realize that they belonged to this quiet, calm, unassuming, humble, easy going lady who wished to do everything to the glory of God's Kingdom on earth," her family said. "She was loved for her smile, gentleness and passion to help others. Her life was given to hospitality." Alice's husband, four children, 9 grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews were never left out of the whole picture. She loved them dearly and they loved her dearly. Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays were special at Grandma's. The question is asked in the book of Proverbs, "who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." The family has resoundingly said, "we have found that virtuous woman .... our mom". Alice is survived by her husband, Robert Soderblom of Yucaipa; two sons; Douglas Kevin of Yucaipa, Alan Bryce of Loomis, CA; two daughters; Sheryl Denise Sokolies of Winnipeg, Canada, Debra Sue Soderblom-Vickers of Durango, CO and nine grandchildren; Bryan, Mark, Kirsten Soderblom; Sissel and Stig Soderblom; Ingrid and Martin Sokolies; Sydney and Hayden Vickers; brothers, Jerry and Jim Lastine; sisters Ann Lawrence and Adele Morgan; and many nephews and nieces. She leaves behind myriads of friends who loved her dearly. Friends and family are invited to a viewing on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 3-7 p.m. at Montecito Memorial Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Calimesa SDA Church (4th and Myrtlewood) at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25. Friends and loved ones are also invited to the Intunement graveside service at Montecito Memorial Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26.