Donna Duncan Soderquist

Donna Bell (Metcalfe) Duncan Soderquist, 92, went home to celebrate Christmas with her Lord on December 23, 2018.

She was born February 26, 1926, in Regina SK, Canada, to Donald and Elizabeth Metcalfe. Her mother died when she was a month old and she and her twin sister, Doris, were adopted by William “Bill” and Ada Duncan of Weyburn, SK. She grew up in Weyburn and graduated from high school in 1944. She received her BA degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, then attended the United Church of Canada Missionary Training School in Toronto. Donna married John Soderquist in Weyburn on October 23, 1948. They settled in Columbus, ND, where they raised their family and lived for 55 years, until moving to West Fargo. In 2012, she moved with her son, Paul, to Bismarck.

Donna received her teaching certificate in 1970 and taught in Crosby, Flaxton, Kenmare, and Lignite, ND, and Estevan, SK, specializing in teaching children with learning disabilities. She will continue teaching others after her death. Both she and her husband, John, donated their bodies to the UND School of Medicine for training future physicians.

Donna was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary and church women’s groups. She recognized her need for a Savior and came to faith in her early teens. Donna taught Sunday School and led Bible studies in Trinity and Faith Lutheran churches in Columbus. Her main purpose in life was to serve God and be a witness to His love. Her kind and gentle spirit demonstrated God’s presence.

Donna’s life will be forever cherished by her surviving family; sons, Bill Soderquist (Marilyn), Wildomar, CA, and Paul Soderquist (Gayle), Bismarck; daughters, Jill Harsch (Lloyd), New Orleans, LA, and Joy Jones (Flynt), Matthews, NC; grandchildren, Michael Charles (Shannon), Isabell Soderquist, Christopher Harsch (Grace), Michael Harsch, and Brister Jones; and great-granddaughters, Morgan and Maddalen Charles.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John Soderquist; both sets of parents; brother, Fred Metcalfe; and sisters, Annabelle Case, Margaret MacDonald and Doris Aldous.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Faith Lutheran Church, Columbus or Triumph Lutheran Brethren, West Campus, West Fargo are appreciated.

A celebration of life service will be held in Columbus at a future date after her remains are returned to the family.