Obituary for Delores Soderquist Brehm
Delores, "Dee", Soderquist Brehm passed away at her home in Michigan on Sunday, April 3, 2022. She was 91.
Dee was born in Cadillac, Michigan on August 28, 1930, to Hugo and Emma Soderquist. During World War II the family moved to Ypsilanti to work in support of the War Effort.
Dee attended High School in Ypsilanti and, upon graduation in 1948, enrolled at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 1952.
While a student at EMU, she met her future husband William (Bill) Brehm who grew up in Dearborn and was a student attending the University of Michigan. They were married on June 28, 1952 and spent their honeymoon traveling to San Diego, CA to begin their married life together.
Dee and Bill had two children, Eric, born in 1957, followed by Lisa in 1959. However, before starting her family, Dee worked in the San Diego public schools as a Special Education teacher. Later in her life, because of her lingering passion for children with special needs, Dee established a full-tuition scholarship program for students seeking Special Education degrees at Eastern Michigan University. In recognition of her contributions to special ed, EMU awarded her an honorary Doctor of Education degree in 2013. Read more HERE.
But Dee had broad interests: Among other things, she taught groups about French cooking -- in her home. She was also known for her exquisite dinner parties! She truly had the gift of hospitality; friends remember that an evening dinner in her home was always a beautiful experience.
Dee was diagnosed with Type I, juvenile diabetes, in 1949 at age 19, at the University of Michigan hospital. Doctors at the time of her diagnosis very frankly warned her to prepare for a shortened life, difficult pregnancies, and a challenging health situation. But Dee was special: She would have two healthy babies and lead a long, full life without complications.
Dee remains an inspiration to parents of diabetic children. Bill and Dee have been instrumental in forming, and supporting, the Coalition for Diabetes Research – a group that brings together six universities engaged in genuine collaboration in the race for a cure. Read more HERE.
Dee recently expressed strong interest in renovating the aging chapel in the main University of Michigan Hospital. The Delores S. Brehm Chapel Renovation Fund has been established to support this activity by the University. If you would like to join the Brehms in contributing to this effort please call 734-764-6777 for details.
Dee is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Bill. They were married for nearly 70 years, and were blessed by a marriage filled with joy, romance, and deep love.
Dee will be greatly missed by her daughter, Lisa Ellis; son-in-law, Michael; daughter-in-law, Susan Brehm; six grandchildren: Ryan Ellis, Kelly Ellis, Brianna Ellis, Robert Brehm, Laura Brehm and William Brehm; and two great-grandchildren: Seth Michael Rodriguez-Ellis and soon to arrive, Landon William Rodriguez-Ellis. In addition, Dee is survived by her sister-in-law, Ann Soderquist; nephews, Hans and Lars, Lar’s wife, Jean, their son, Arlo; and her many loving friends.
Dee is preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Emma Soderquist; her brother, Larry Dean Soderquist; and her son, Eric William Brehm.
A Celebration of Dee’s life is being planned on her birthday, Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 3:00 pm at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) at the WILLIAM K. and DELORES S. BREHM PAVILION. Please RSVP via this LINK so we can get a headcount for refreshments and to appropriately plan the program. Dee was known for her love of bright colors; if attending, please wear something bright and cheerful!
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Delores.
Dee was born in Cadillac, Michigan on August 28, 1930, to Hugo and Emma Soderquist. During World War II the family moved to Ypsilanti to work in support of the War Effort.
Dee attended High School in Ypsilanti and, upon graduation in 1948, enrolled at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 1952.
While a student at EMU, she met her future husband William (Bill) Brehm who grew up in Dearborn and was a student attending the University of Michigan. They were married on June 28, 1952 and spent their honeymoon traveling to San Diego, CA to begin their married life together.
Dee and Bill had two children, Eric, born in 1957, followed by Lisa in 1959. However, before starting her family, Dee worked in the San Diego public schools as a Special Education teacher. Later in her life, because of her lingering passion for children with special needs, Dee established a full-tuition scholarship program for students seeking Special Education degrees at Eastern Michigan University. In recognition of her contributions to special ed, EMU awarded her an honorary Doctor of Education degree in 2013. Read more HERE.
But Dee had broad interests: Among other things, she taught groups about French cooking -- in her home. She was also known for her exquisite dinner parties! She truly had the gift of hospitality; friends remember that an evening dinner in her home was always a beautiful experience.
Dee was diagnosed with Type I, juvenile diabetes, in 1949 at age 19, at the University of Michigan hospital. Doctors at the time of her diagnosis very frankly warned her to prepare for a shortened life, difficult pregnancies, and a challenging health situation. But Dee was special: She would have two healthy babies and lead a long, full life without complications.
Dee remains an inspiration to parents of diabetic children. Bill and Dee have been instrumental in forming, and supporting, the Coalition for Diabetes Research – a group that brings together six universities engaged in genuine collaboration in the race for a cure. Read more HERE.
Dee recently expressed strong interest in renovating the aging chapel in the main University of Michigan Hospital. The Delores S. Brehm Chapel Renovation Fund has been established to support this activity by the University. If you would like to join the Brehms in contributing to this effort please call 734-764-6777 for details.
Dee is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Bill. They were married for nearly 70 years, and were blessed by a marriage filled with joy, romance, and deep love.
Dee will be greatly missed by her daughter, Lisa Ellis; son-in-law, Michael; daughter-in-law, Susan Brehm; six grandchildren: Ryan Ellis, Kelly Ellis, Brianna Ellis, Robert Brehm, Laura Brehm and William Brehm; and two great-grandchildren: Seth Michael Rodriguez-Ellis and soon to arrive, Landon William Rodriguez-Ellis. In addition, Dee is survived by her sister-in-law, Ann Soderquist; nephews, Hans and Lars, Lar’s wife, Jean, their son, Arlo; and her many loving friends.
Dee is preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Emma Soderquist; her brother, Larry Dean Soderquist; and her son, Eric William Brehm.
A Celebration of Dee’s life is being planned on her birthday, Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 3:00 pm at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) at the WILLIAM K. and DELORES S. BREHM PAVILION. Please RSVP via this LINK so we can get a headcount for refreshments and to appropriately plan the program. Dee was known for her love of bright colors; if attending, please wear something bright and cheerful!
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Delores.