Marilyn A. (Hawkinson) Barker

Marilyn Annetta Hawkinson Soderman Barker of Cambridge left this earthly life on Monday, November 6, 2023 after a long and blessed life of 90 years.

She was born the second daughter of Wilford and Elfreda (Linquist) Hawkinson at her grandparents’ (Henry and Lydia Linquist) farm.  During the depression, the family moved numerous times: Rock Island, IL, Davenport, IA, St. Paul, MN; several times returning to the Linquist farm and Moody School.  Marilyn enjoyed coming back to Cambridge for high school and her many lifelong friends.  One special friend, Wally Soderman, became her husband in 1952 and they built a house in West Cambridge and welcomed one daughter and four sons into the family.

After high school graduation, Marilyn went to Glenwood Hills Hospital for Psychiatric Nurses training.  Having felt the call to be a nurse since she was four years old, nursing became an important part of her life.  You may remember her caring for you or working with you at the Cambridge Clinic, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Grandview Christian Home and /or Cambridge State Hospital.  Another important aspect of Marilyn’s life was her relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ which started in 1948 when she was baptized and joined First Baptist Church in Cambridge.  Somehow, she found time to entertain family and friends, keep the family well fed, sewed clothes, knit sweaters, skied, and rode snowmobiles and horses.  Never a dull moment at the Soderman house.

Marilyn and Wally retired in 1995 and spent winters in Mesa, AZ.  In 1999, Wally was paralyzed by his cancer and Marilyn took care of him at home with help from the family until he passed away in December 1999.

It was in 2000 that another classmate, Richard Barker, came to Cambridge for their 50th class reunion.  He took Marilyn back to Blacksburg, VA as his wife.  A whole new life unfolded for Marilyn.  A lot of traveling and golfing, singing in a chorale in Arizona, and playing in a concert band.  In 2011, Richard developed cancer and Marilyn became the nurse again until his death in December 2012.

Marilyn returned to Cambridge to live and be near family and lifelong friends.  As when she was a child, Marilyn found that you can go home again.

She was preceded in death by her parents Wilford and Elfreda (Braun) Hawkinson, husbands Wally Soderman and Richard Barker, sisters Marcella Rasmussen and Marlene Christenson, best friend Joanne Sjodin, brother-in-law Gaylord Rasmussen, mother-in-law and father-in-law Stella and Herman Soderman.

Marilyn is survived by her children Anita (Bob) Hupfer, David (Debb) Soderman, Scott (Beth) Soderman all of Cambridge, Brian Soderman of East Bethel, Bruce Soderman of Hastings, her grandchildren Amanda (Dale) Marty, Ben (Nicole) Hupfer, Cassandra Te Lae, Jordan (Jessica) Soderman, Gabriel Soderman, Troy (Samantha) Soderman, Dustin Soderman, Kyle Soderman, Ali Soderman & Sam Soderman, great grandchildren Morgan & Alex Marty, Kai & Uriah Minnis, Hunter & Caleb Soderman, Grayson, Camden & Austin Hupfer, brother Lee (Linda) Hawkinson, step children Catherine Barker, David Barker, John Barker, Paul Barker & Ruth Long, step grandchildren John, Emma, Lacey & Harris Barker, Andrew Cheeks, Kalie & Kristin Long, and numerous cousins and friends.

Memorial Service will be held at 11AM, Friday, December 29, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Cambridge.  Visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment in Springvale Baptist Cemetery.

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