Date of death: 5/27/2010

Saint Meinrad Class: O 1951

Paul Francis Soergel, 83, died at his home from lymphoma.He was born June 21, 1926 to Edith and Edwin Soergel, the third of nine children, in New Albany, IN.He entered Saint Meinrad Seminary in 1940 for high school, minor and major seminary and was ordained in 1951. He became a founding member of Blue Cloud Abbey near Marion, South Dakota. He left in 1972 and was employed by the State of Nebraska and then the city of Lincoln in employee assistance programs. In 1976 he became certified in gerontology and worked as care giver and then assistant director of the Foster Grandparent Program at the Glenwood, Iowa State School. He later became the director of the program until his retirement in 1991.Paul was married to Margaret and had two children, Philip and Sarah. He spent 13 of his 38 years with Margaret caring for his mother-in-law (Clarinda Morin) in Walhalla, ND. He was widely known as an avid dandelion picker and snow shoveler. In 2008, Paul moved to Louisville and enjoyed being near his daughter’s family.Paul was preceded in death by his parents; brother (Victor); and two brothers-in-law (George Hancock and Dr Phil Hulsman).He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his son, Philip, along with his wife, Amy, and their children, Blake, Macy, Evan and Claire; his daughter, Sarah, along with her husband, Matt, and their children, Sophia and Ava; seven siblings, Doris, Sr. Edie, Joe, Ed, Therese, Mary and Bob, sisters-in-law, Jane and Sharon and their families; many dear friends, and his Benedictine Brothers.Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. No flowers or gifts are necessary but if you so wish please make donations to Dare to Care, local food banks, or a humane no-kill animal shelter in Paul’s memory.Online condolences may be shared at www.archlheadywestport.com.Published in the Louisville Courier-Journal on May 30, 2010.