Arla Carol Geddes Soderberg, born January 25th 1924 in Dodsland, Saskatchewan the third child and only daughter to William and Anna Geddes. Arla had an early interest in nursing and worked in the Wilkie Hospital. She started her training at the Grey Nuns (St. Pauls) hospital in Saskatoon. She later moved on to the Sask Hospital in North Battleford and completed her three years of training as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse on October 1,1951. She worked at the San in Saskatoon with TB patients for awhile as well. It was while she was training in North Battleford that she met the love of her life Ben. His sister Frieda was training there as well, so we can assume Frieda was instrumental in initiating their courtship. In early 1952 Arla and Frieda hitchhiked to Vernon to work in the hospital there. It is hard to imagine two young women hitchhiking halfway across the country by themselves. We are all pretty sure that none of us would do it now. Although I think a couple of the grandchildren have the wandering bug in them. She returned to Saskatchewan to marry her sweetheart Ben on November 28, 1952. She was a town girl who became a versatile farm wife. She hauled grain, shoveling it off by hand, stooked, milked cows, fed chickens. She was a 4-H leader in the Glenbush Homecraft for several years. Mom was instrumental in starting homecare in our area.  She was an active member in MADRA and the senior citizens group. She resumed her nursing career working at the Rabbit Lake hospital in the fall of 1973. She retired in the early 1980's. She enjoyed all her grandchildren to the fullest and was even more entertained by the arrival of 4 great grandsons and 1 great granddaughter. Her eyes lit up whenever they walked around the corner of the sunnyside room. A big deal for the grandkids was growing taller than grandma. She was the grand kid's best nurse when sick or hurt and she cooked the best suppers after cattle drives. The boys were treated a little different when it came to treating cuts and bruises, iodine was used a couple times, even though Wendy & Sandra don't think it was….but it was!!!! Car rides to the Glenbush Post office for suckers in the old blue car was always a fun short trip. Grandma was always a stellar card player, even when she didn't mean to be. She either had a five in her hand when playing crib or an ace in 7up 7down. She really should have been a poker player, if you ask any of us. No one made peanut butter toast like grandma, according to Mitch. Grandma was always there for us when we needed her and gave us tough love when we needed it too!!! Darren recalls a few years ago when he visiting with Grandma that she talked about Grandpa and the cucumbers he grew, he didn't stop watering them until the frost came so there was a lot of them. She said he can grow them and he can pick them but he sure as hell doesn't pickle them. She taught us the value of family, hard work, commitment and getting by without all the fancy things in life. Mom and dad scraped by in the early years but were able to enjoy the luxury of traveling to visit family and friends and many places in their retirement. Dad passed away in November of 2004, it was big change for mom after 52 years of marriage. In the later years they had done everything together so it was a difficult time for mom.  She enjoyed the family gatherings when we all played cards and games. She moved into Battleford in 2009 and spent the last couple of years at Battleford's District Care Ward 5. She passed away peacefully with family by her side on August 22. Arla is lovingly remembered by: Her children: William (Barbara) Soderberg, Wendy (Peter) Pauls, Sandra (Kelly) Schneider, her grandchildren: Darren (Jodi) Soderberg, Lori Soderberg, Garry (Laurel) Pauls, Richard (Michelle) Pauls and children: Luke, Jack and Claire, Janice Pauls (Michael Chapman), Kristine (Michael) Raess and children: Corsin and Silvan, Mitchell Schneider, a special granddaughter, Mette (Martin) and children, Laerke and Laura Thomassen, her sister-in-law, Ellen Appleyard, numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She is predeceased by: Her husband, Ben Soderberg, Her parents, William and Anna Geddes, Her parents-in-law, Ivor and Anna Soderberg, Her brothers, Walter (Jean) and Howard (Verna) Geddes, Her brother-in-law, Ken Appleyard, Her siblings-in-law, Frieda (Bud) Thistlewaite and Agnes (Harry) Lightburn. A Funeral Service was held Thursday, August 27th, 2015, from the Community Hall, Medstead, Saskatchewan. Memorial Donations in Arla's memory may be directed to Battlefords District Care Ward 5 or to a Charity Choice of the Donor. Family and friends wishing to send private online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to Lori Saam of Beau "Lac" Funeral Home, Spiritwood, SK.
