Mildred “Millie” Soder

Mildred "Millie" E. Soder, 97, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, MN. She was born on November 30, 1928. Her parents were Adolph and Elsie (Bach) Reinke. She was baptized on December 16, 1928, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills and confirmed on May 18, 1941, at St. John's. Millie married Hilmer Soder on June 25, 1950, at St. John's.

 A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN. Visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 5, 2026, prior to the service at church. Interment will be held at Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN.

Millie grew up on a farm in the Corvuso area and attended District 52 country grade school and St. John's church school. She graduated from Hutchinson High school in 1947. She worked at various jobs until 1950 when she married Hilmer and became a full-time farm co-worker. They moved to Atwater, Litchfield, Rosendale, and back to Litchfield where they purchased their farm in 1953. They lived and worked on that farm until they retired in 2007 and moved into Litchfield.

Millie served on the Beckville Lutheran Church Council for 6 years, was the WELCA secretary for several years and a service chairperson, plus various other committees. She was active in Extension work and enjoyed ceramics classes for several years. She was active in helping on the farm including raising chickens, picking and selling eggs, helping with the hogs and calves, and driving tractor to help with the field work. She always grew a large garden and filled the basement shelves with canned goods and the freezer with meats, fruits, and vegetables. Her hobbies included fishing, camping, painting, sewing, and crafts. Her favorite hobby/passion was collecting recipes and cookbooks.

Her main love in life was her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Millie will always be remembered for riding her scooter out and about around town.

Millie is survived by her daughters Jackie (Steve) Kraushaar of Litchfield, Jody (Steve) Gunderson of Waconia and Cindy Soder of Brainerd; grandchildren Jami Kraushaar (Bill Dittman) of Little Falls, Kole (Marissa) Kraushaar of Litchfield, Chelsie (Justin) Olund of Waconia and Josh (Allie) Gunderson of Loveland, Colorado; great grandchildren Liam, Otto, and Bodhi Kraushaar of Litchfield, and Royce Olund and a new great-grandson due in June, of Waconia; nephew Randy Reinke (Kevin Hanstad); and many relatives and friends.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Hilmer, brother Arvid Reinke, sister-in-law Rosanna Reinke, niece Rhonda Reinke, and nephew Rickie Reinke.

Memorials are preferred to Beckville Lutheran Church, or to donor's choice, in lieu of flowers.