Andrew Soden

Andrew “Andy” Martin Soden, 51, passed away at home on April 5, 2021, after a valiant two-year struggle with Glioblastoma.  He was born on August 29, 1969 in Des Moines, Iowa, to David and Marilyn (nee Mehlert) Soden.  Andy grew up in Crystal Lake and could rarely be found without a ball in hand.  Whether it was baseball, football, soccer or basketball, he spent his youth throwing, dribbling, catching and passing.  He made lifelong friendships on the courts and fields and will always be remembered as a natural leader and supportive, encouraging teammate.  He made everyone a better player, and a better human.  He graduated from Crystal Lake South High School in 1987 and attended the University of Iowa where he graduated with a BS in Finance.  After a tenure in outside sales for an office equipment company in Chicago, he ended his career at Staples in Business Development in the healthcare sector.  His customers and colleagues became great friends and would often find themselves on the golf course with him, sharing life stories and playing the game that he loved.  He had a smile for everyone and not a bad word for anyone.  His true joys in life were his wife, Sue, and his beautiful and talented daughters, Emma and Izzy.  He attended all their performances, cheering the loudest, and coached them in soccer and basketball.  He taught them how to fish, keep score at Cubs games and how to appreciate a scary movie.  All summer long, he could be found captaining his pontoon boat on Crystal Lake, surrounded by the friends and family that he loved, his boisterous laugh in tow.  Andy had a wide variety of hobbies and interests, was intellectually curious and if he was not listening to a podcast, he was reading a biography or writing poetry.  His spirit will live on in all those blessed to have known him.

Andy is survived by his wife, Susan (Franz) Soden; his daughters, Emma and Isabel Soden; his parents, David and Marilyn Soden; his brother, Stan Soden; his brother-in-law, David (Kelly) Franz; his sisters-in-law, Julie (Joe) McConnell and Liz Franz; his mother-in-law, Jane Franz; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Andy was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Bill Franz.

A celebration of Andy’s life will take place on Friday, May 14 with a visitation at the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, from 4pm to 7pm.  On Saturday, May 15 a funeral service will be held at the Crystal Lake Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, at 10:30am.

Memorial contributions may be sent to First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or the Glioblastoma Foundation, glioblastomafoundation.org.