1940
John
2017
John D. Soby
December 27, 1940 — August 21, 2017
John Soby, 76, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, August 21, 2017, at Woodland Lodge in Fergus Falls.
He was born on December 27, 1940, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the son of B.K. and Lucile (Peterson) Soby.
John grew up in Fergus Falls and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1959. He attended Concordia, the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, and then graduated from Moorhead State.
On July 5, 1963, John married Karen Janice Plahn at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
John owned and operated Soby Construction. He was also employed with the Fergus Falls School District as well as with Otter Tail Coaches driving sports teams and other school groups.
John enjoyed the sports of basketball, baseball and golf. With basketball, he was a “pure shooter” who scored most of his points from the perimeter prior to the three-point shot. John was known for his high percentage accuracy from the outside, and having poise in pressure situations. In 1957, John was a member of the Fergus Falls basketball team during the state tournament. In terms of baseball, he was an ironman pitcher who pitched many complete games including an 18 inning 2-1 complete game victory. He pitched for a few district champion teams in Fergus Falls and later won a Wisconsin state championship for Poplar, WI in 1964 in an independent league. John won many medals in high school track for the shot put. He was also a kicker for the high school football team. John loved his dogs and spending time at the cabin.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his sister, Odny.
Survivors include his wife, Karen; three children, Suzanne (John) Demuth of Fergus Falls, Andrea Soby of Minneapolis, Thomas (Catharine) Soby of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Brandon (Katie) Demuth of Moorhead and Aaron Demuth of Fergus Falls; and his brother, Dayton (Ruth) Soby of Florida. John is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be directed to the Fergus Falls 544 Education Foundation.
Gathering of Family and Friends: Friday August 25, 2017, 5-7 p.m. at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com
He was born on December 27, 1940, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the son of B.K. and Lucile (Peterson) Soby.
John grew up in Fergus Falls and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1959. He attended Concordia, the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, and then graduated from Moorhead State.
On July 5, 1963, John married Karen Janice Plahn at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
John owned and operated Soby Construction. He was also employed with the Fergus Falls School District as well as with Otter Tail Coaches driving sports teams and other school groups.
John enjoyed the sports of basketball, baseball and golf. With basketball, he was a “pure shooter” who scored most of his points from the perimeter prior to the three-point shot. John was known for his high percentage accuracy from the outside, and having poise in pressure situations. In 1957, John was a member of the Fergus Falls basketball team during the state tournament. In terms of baseball, he was an ironman pitcher who pitched many complete games including an 18 inning 2-1 complete game victory. He pitched for a few district champion teams in Fergus Falls and later won a Wisconsin state championship for Poplar, WI in 1964 in an independent league. John won many medals in high school track for the shot put. He was also a kicker for the high school football team. John loved his dogs and spending time at the cabin.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his sister, Odny.
Survivors include his wife, Karen; three children, Suzanne (John) Demuth of Fergus Falls, Andrea Soby of Minneapolis, Thomas (Catharine) Soby of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Brandon (Katie) Demuth of Moorhead and Aaron Demuth of Fergus Falls; and his brother, Dayton (Ruth) Soby of Florida. John is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be directed to the Fergus Falls 544 Education Foundation.
Gathering of Family and Friends: Friday August 25, 2017, 5-7 p.m. at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John D. Soby, please visit our flower store.
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