Edward G Soesbe

Edward G. Soesbe was born on May 22, 1932, in Gregory, South Dakota, to Charles and Alta Soesbe.  He was the youngest of four having three older sisters.  He liked to tell stories of his years growing up on the farm. An example heard many times described how upset he was not getting his first horse until he was eight. His High School graduating class consisted of all of 27 students and 20 of them were girls. 

Ed went into the army in February 1953, and completed basic training, just in time to be sent to Korea.  After completing his tour of duty, he mustered out of the Army in 1954, and deciding he had experienced enough cold in Korea, he elected to stay in Southern California rather than returning to the cold of South Dakota.  During this time, he married Maxine and had three children, Laura, Renata and Sam. They divorced in 1971.

Ed worked for several years as an engineering contractor in a number of Southern California Aerospace companies, but ultimately decided selling insurance was more stable work.  He spent the next 31 years as a dedicated broker for the Farmers Insurance Company, making many close friendships in the Southern California communities until he retired in 2003.

In 1972, he decided to take up square dancing, where met and fell in love with Helen Jones. They were married in 1974 and he welcomed Helen’s 2 children, DeAnn and Wayne, into his family.  Ed and Helen lived in Torrance the entire 49 years of their marriage. 

Family was always important to Ed. He loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  There was lots of family gatherings, RV camping, soccer-baseball-volleyball games, band concerts, and many years of waterskiing (even though Ed did not swim).  Whatever his family was involved in, Ed would be there to cheer them on.  Ed and Helen both loved to travel and went on many adventures together.

Ed loved to ride his motorcycle.  Every Monday, for many years, he rode all over the back roads of California with several friends. Once a year he went cattle branding to do what he loved, being a cowboy.  In his spare time, he played golf, played his piano, loved to play cards and was learning to play bridge.  He loved to work around the house and was quite handy and clever at fixing things.

Ed was very passionate about his faith, and was very involved in St. Andrews Presbyterian church as a deacon, a trustee and an elder.  He also helped start the Wednesday early morning Men’s Bible study. His friendly welcoming manner endeared him to many. He was beloved by his Church family.

Ed went home to the Lord surrounded by family on September 25, 2023 at the age of 91.  He is survived by his wife Helen, children Laura Soesbe, Renata Tewksbury (Buddy), Sam Soesbe (Kelly), DeAnn Ince (Mark) and Wayne Jones (Kelli), in addition to 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

He was a true blessing to all who knew him and he will be greatly missed.

The family would like to request, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: 

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church            The Wounded Warrior Project

www.sntandrews.org                                  www.woundedwarrierproject.org