Garth Edwin Soderquist

Garth Edwin Soderquist, 82 of Terreton, Idaho died March 14, 2005 at his home in Terreton. Garth was born May 21, 1922 to Edwin and Venice Soderquist in Ferron, Utah. He lived in Ferron until he was six when the family moved to Rigby where he attended school until the 5th grade. Then the family moved to Osgood. Garth finished his elementary education in Osgood schools and attended Ammon High School where he graduated in 1940. He joined the navy in November 1942, and went to boot camp in Farragut, ID then to Memphis Tennessee for an aircraft mechanic school for 6 months. From Memphis he was sent to Pensacola for aircraft gunnery training, then to San Francisco for shore patrol for 2 weeks, from there he was sent to Hawaii for 2 years. He was then sent to Alameda where he was involved in receiving and storing aircraft after the war ended. He was discharged in February of 1946. Garth went to Ricks College majoring in Education. While attending college he met Marvetta Plant. After graduation they were married July 24, 1948, and sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1951. They moved to Terreton where they both taught school. In 1951-1952 they moved to Logan, Utah where Garth continued his education attending Utah State where he graduated, then returned to Terreton Elementary to be the principal and also a teacher. With his wife they bought a farm in Terreton. They both retired from teaching to take care of the farm and the cow milking. Garth served as the Chairman of Water District #31 for over 20 years. He was also on the board of directors for Mud Lake Water Users for 20 years with eleven of those as president. Garth worked for the Soil Conservation Service surveying for many years. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings and was the ward or financial clerk for 29 years. He enjoyed reading, stamp collecting, traveling, and woodworking. Garth is survived by his wife Marvetta Soderquist of Terreton and 7 children, Verl (Janet) Soderquist, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lyle (Krista) Soderquist of Blackfoot, Keith (Christie) Soderquist of Kimberly, Larry (Jenny) Soderquist of Terreton, Layne (Babette) Soderquist of Terreton, Ann (Bill) Rowe of McLean, Virginia, and Julee Bellemo of Manassas, Virginia, brother Gene Soderquist of Blackfoot and sister Irene (Verl) Larson of Idaho Falls, 22 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Garth is preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother Ray, and 1 great grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2005 at the Terreton 1st Ward Chapel (1500 North 1300 East) with Bishop Todd Simmons conducting. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday evening at the Stake Center from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and prior to the services from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Burial will follow the services at the West Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. Donations may be made to Aspen Home Health and Hospice (3470 Washington Parkway Idaho Falls, Idaho 83404).