Clarence "Skip" Soleim Jr.

Clarence "Skip" Soleim, Jr., age 79, of Hastings, passed away peacefully Friday, March 14, 2014 in Hastings. Skip was born January 16, 1935, in Superior, WI, to Clarence and Edna (Johnston) Soleim, Sr. A 1952 graduate of Hastings High School, Skip attended Cornell College in Iowa, before returning to Hastings to join his father operating Zephyr Cleaners. On February 4, 1956, he married LaVonne Benjamin at Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hastings, MN. They raised four children, James (Greta) Soleim of Savage, William (Deborah) Soleim of Rochester, New York, Dawn (Hassan) Sahouani of Hastings, and David (Elizabeth) Soleim of Columbia Falls, Montana; and were blessed with eight grandchildren, Christopher (Athena), Andrew (Nikki), Eric, Luke, and Colin Soleim, Owen Vanderbilt, Miriam and Jonas Sahouani; and one great granddaughter, Gabriella Soleim. A longtime Hastings businessman, Skip served on any committee that needed him. At age 25, Skip was elected to the Hastings City Council and continued his public service involvement through the Hastings Redevelopment Authority and Planning Commission, the Dakota County Library board, the Hastings Police Commission, the Red Rock Corridor Commission, the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, and the Hospital Doctors Recruitment Committee. As an advocate of lifetime learning, Skip was instrumental in forming Hastings Community Education, and took pride in serving on the Hastings Public Schools Foundation board. At the time of his death, Skip was serving on the board of directors for First National Bank of Hastings. In 1946, Skips family joined Our Saviours Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he was later confirmed and married. He sang in the church choir for 59 years and served on the church council. In the 1970s, Skip became interested in cross country skiing and biked in the summer to stay in shape for skiing. In 2007, he achieved the title of World Master Skier after he completed 10 marathon ski races in 10 countries, one of which was a 90 kilometer ski race in Sweden. While Skip loved passing his time on the trails, he gained the most pleasure from spending time with his family, especially his "eight beautiful grandchildren." Skip was preceded in death by his parents, and granddaughter Anna Rose Soleim. Survivors include two brothers, Thomas Soleim of Hastings and Robert Soleim of Maplewood; one sister, Susan Foote of Hastings; and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his family, friends, and community. A Memorial Service officiated by Pastor Lloyd Menke will be held Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 West 9th St. in Hastings, with a visitation before the service starting at 9:30 AM. Interment will take place in Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings, MN. Memorials may be given to Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church, or the Hastings Public Schools Foundation.