Obituary: In Memory of J. Allen Soderlund
Obituary: In Memory of J. Allen Soderlund
J. Allen Soderlund, November 16, 1941 – April 27, 2025
Jan Allen Soderlund was born November 16, 1941, to Harold and Ethel Soderlund in Lincoln, NE. Allen was a man of many words and strong opinions. He enjoyed discussing current events, listening to public radio, and classic cars. So much so that Allen tracked down his dream car, a 1946 Chrysler Town and Country, in Kansas and drove it all the way back home.
Moreover, Allen was a key volunteer of Bellevue Little Theater, raising a substantial amount of funds to make improvements, propelling the theater to become what it is today. Additionally, he participated in Toastmasters and volunteered his time at the Stephen Center.
However, Allen’s greatest passion was teaching. Allen earned his Bachelor of Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1964, launching his over four-decade long career. He later earned his Master of Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1972 and a Masters of Science from Creighton University in 1986. Bellevue Public Schools is where Allen spent the majority of his career, retiring in 2003. When he discovered retirement was not meant for him, he took on part-time positions at St. Matthew’s Catholic school and Bellevue Christian Academy. Allen particularly enjoyed working with some of the more challenging children, meeting them where they were at, earning their trust and finding a way to make a difference when they were in his classroom. This passion allowed him to have a great impact within the Bellevue Community.
Allen entered into rest the morning of April 27, 2025 in Bellevue, NE. He is survived by his sister Cecily (Mike Frazier) of Rhinebeck, NY and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Karen, his sister Janis Kruse, his sister Sandra Soons, and his parents.
VISITATION will be at Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel, 2202 Hancock St, Bellevue, NE 68005 on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 5-7 PM.
SERVICES will be Thursday, May 1, 2025, 11AM to Noon at Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel, with BURIAL of remains at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 6800 S. 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68512 at 3PM.
MEMORIALS can be made to the Diabetes Association, Bellevue Education Association, and the Dementia Society of America.
