Gilbert SODER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

SODER: Gilbert Victor, Oct. 13, 1924 - Nov. 3, 2014. The following is the eulogy that Murray Soder delivered at Gilbert's funeral. It so accurately portrays the life of his brother and his many nieces and nephews enjoyed it so much that we wanted to share it. In Memory of Gilbert Soder Gilbert was born on October 13, 1924 at home on Section 14-12-28 Wallace Municipality. The third child and the second son of Wilfred and Francis Soder of a family of seven surviving children, including three sisters and four brothers. Originally, the farm consisted of one section of land, with 30 work horses, 20 milking cows, 40-50 pigs, 100 chickens, 20 turkeys and usually some ducks and geese. The farm was basically a subsistence operation, providing only for the necessities of life. Gil along with his brothers and sisters were an integral part of the farm operation, doing chores at a young age. Around the time Gil was born, Wallace Municipality installed telephone lines, so it became possible to talk to the neighbors and phone to Elkhorn and Virden. This was a boon in the stormy winter days when people could phone ahead and advise on the progress of the horse drawn school van. Soon a radio showed up and depending on finances, a battery would be purchased, so that in the winter, all eagerly waited to listen to the Grand Ole Oprey on Saturday nights and Sunday nights it was tuned into the Jack Benny and Fibber McGee and Molly shows followed by LUX Radio Theatre. Radio was a luxury and when the battery went dead, it was only replaced when finances would allow, but usually was available for the winter months. My memories of Gil were driving a four horse team pulling a plow, or cultivator or pulling six sections of harrows. Every night and morning it was milking time and separating the cream, then slopping the hogs with the skim milk. The cream put the groceries on the table and a minimum of niceties. On early summer weekends, Gil along with Dad and the rest of us were conscripted to pull wild mustard in the crop as weed spray wasn’t yet available. We can’t forget the rock picking with a stoneboat and a team of horses. Summer holidays were almost two months of haying two miles east on then Municipal land. Every morning cows were milked, then our morning and afternoon lunches and dinner were packed on the buggy and we led 8-10 work horses for the days work. Then home to again milk the cows and other chores. Gil looked forward to harvest time, probably more for the relief from haying. All my older brothers were able to get out of school at least from Grade 7 on to help with the harvest. After grade 9, Gil decided that he had enough school education and quit school to join his younger brother Mil who had quit a year previous. Both were working full time on the farm with Dad and older brother Robert. In the early 1940’s, Dad was able to afford to purchase two used John Deere Model D tractors. This changed farming forever for the Soder family. Gil became a tractor fanatic, often working in the fields until the wee hours of the morning then a short nap, breakfast and back to the field. With the advent of the tractor the horses were rapidly phased out. Gradually the milk cows became beef cattle and the poultry and swine were also phased out. The coming of Hydro in the late 1940’s changed lives forever. No more cutting wood and hauling coal for the furnace and kitchen stove. No more chimney fires. As time went by, family members went on to pursue different careers and Gil and Mil stayed on with Mother and Dad to farm. They gradually acquired neighboring properties until it became the present day operation. The original subsistence farm became a viable commercial operation. Gil assisted our mother with cooking dinners and eventually took over the full cooking duties after our mother passed away. He became an excellent cook as anyone who joined him for dinner or lunches over the years will attest. Gil always played his cards close to his vest and often found it difficult to express his true feelings to even those who were close to him. More than occasionally, he just kept things bottled up inside. On his many trips to Calgary, Gil had his own personal barber and pedicurist. He also got into designer jeans and shirts by Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren and Levis. In his later years Gil became addicted to travel, spending many winters in Maui with his sister Fern. One year, hobnobbing with Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and others at the Mercedes Golf Tournament. On one of my visits at a condo that featured shared, public barbecues, Gil would introduce me to his friends from Alaska, Minnesota, Ontario or Tennessee. Not many of us can say we travelled to Paris and London, but Gil had that on his resume. He enjoyed his role of surrogate grandfather to Steve and Angela Scott’s children Amanda and Tyler, even if he never expressed it in so many words. Our sincere appreciation goes out to Gary Watson for all the help he provided to Gil during his stay at Kin Place in Virden and to Keith Pearn who helped Gil, among other things, to keep his bookkeeping up to date. Our profound thanks go out to Jill and Murray Pearn for their kindness to Gil in the last several years. Being on the scene when immediate family members were not available to assist, looking after getting him to appointments, shopping and all the other niceties that they provided. Well above and beyond the call of duty, thank you again. Gilbert is survived by his sister Alice Stitt, his brother Murray Soder, his sister Fern Sutherland and his sister-in-law Edith Soder. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Rest in peace, Uncle Gil. You will be missed in this world.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 21, 2015