Sept. 3, 1948 - Sept. 18, 2011

SOUTH BEND - Margaret Ann "Peggy" (Grant) Soderberg, 63, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 7:30 a.m. in her home on Sunday, September 18, 2011, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Peggy was born on September 3, 1948, in South Bend, to the late Judge Robert A. Grant and Margaret A. (McClaren) Grant. She graduated from John Adams High School in 1966. She received her B.A. in History from Western College in Oxford, Ohio, 1970; her M.A. in South Asian History from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York; and her M.B.A. from Indiana University, 1999. She was also a graduate of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service program.

On December 27, 1976, she married William A. Soderberg at First United Methodist Church, South Bend, where she had been a member since childhood. Bill survives along with her mother and a brother, Robert A. Grant Jr. (Sally) of Walnut Grove, CA, as well as two nieces. Peggy was the Assistant Director for the Studebaker National Museum. Prior to that, she had a 14-year career in retail management and spent ten years in convention and food sale management at Century Center. She also spent five years working closely with schools and businesses in the area of career education as the Director of Youth Services for the Northern Indiana Workforce Investment Board. In addition, she spent several years as a grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education.

Having touched many people's lives as an outstanding role model, mentor, friend, colleague and comrade, Peggy was also an incredibly active community leader, staunch advocate and tireless volunteer. She was highly respected and admired by all who knew her. Her accomplishments were extraordinary. She became the first female District Governor for the Rotary Clubs of Indiana and was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. She participated in three NID trips to India, helping to eradicate polio. She served in several leadership positions with the local and state American Red Cross, including Board Chair of the St. Joseph County Chapter. She spent countless hours as the Opening Ceremonies Coordinator for the International Summer Special Olympic Games in South Bend and she is a past Board President for the LaSalle Council of Boy Scouts of America.

She also served in various leadership capacities on the boards of the Fischoff Chamber Music Association, Firefly Festival for the Performing Arts, Teachers Credit Union, East Wayne Street Historic District Committee, Daughters of the American Revolution, First United Methodist Church, St. Joseph County Republican Party and Republican Women, Economic Club of Michiana, and the South Bend Regional Museum of Art Off-the-Wall event. She was a past worthy matron of Rose Croix Chapter #575, Order of Eastern Star, and past mother advisor of Rose Croix Assembly #106, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

She also traveled extensively throughout the world as a member of the Association of Former Members of Congress Study Tour Group. During her lifetime, Peggy received many awards and recognitions for her numerous contributions and hard work on behalf of the organizations to which she gave her time and energy. Peggy was a great advocate for and lover of the arts. She was a member of the South Bend Symphonic Choir since 1973. She sang in the choir at church and performed in several plays with the Scottish Rite Players. She was an active participant with the South Bend Summer Theater Education program with James L. Casaday. She was an avid knitter and gardener, and loved a quiet ride in their boat around the lake or walk on the beach. She will be greatly missed.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 23, 2011, in First United Methodist Church, 333 N. Main St., South Bend. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 22nd, from 4 until 8 p.m. in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where St. Joseph Chapter #569, Order of Eastern Star, will conduct a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. Welsheimer Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Peggy may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 333 N. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601. South Bend. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.

Published in South Bend Tribune on September 21, 2011.

10/06/2021 DEC