William "Bill" Soltis

William ‘Bill’ Soltis was born May 23, 1928 near Holdingford, MN to the late Alvin & Edna Soltis. He grew up near Holdingford and attended Konsor Country School and then finished his schooling in Holdingford, MN. Bill then worked as a farm hand on various farms in North Dakota. He entered the US Army in July of 1951, served in Japan during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged in June, 1953. Bill was united in marriage to Marlene B. Rardon on November 30, 1951 at her parents home in St. John, N.D. Following his discharge from the US Army, the couple farmed in the South Elmdale, MN area for three years. In 1956, they moved to the Twin Cities where Bill learned the stucco and plastering trade. In 1959, they moved to Upsala, MN where Bill worked for Jerry Witt for two years. In 1961, Soltis Stucco & Plastering Company was formed with Bill and Marlene as owners/manager. In a short time, the Company became well known throughout central Minnesota as one of the premier stucco/plastering companies. In January of 2002, Bill suffered a stroke and could no longer actively participate in the operation of the Company and turned the business over to his son, Alan. Alan continued the family business until his accidental death in North Dakota in July, 2005. Bill continued to recuperate at home under the loving care of his wife, Marlene. He loved horses, raising, caring and riding them. Bill, Marlene and family would take long buggy rides in the summer and fall and then sleigh rides in the winter. He thoroughly enjoyed his work. It showed in the craftsmanship Bill and his employees worked to achieve on every project. Bill was a dedicated family man who enjoyed meeting and visiting everyone he met. He was a member of the Upsala American Legion Post #350 and Brick Layers Union. William ’Bill’ Soltis is survived by his wife, Marlene B. Soltis; daughter, Beverly (Jeff) Edelstein of Bloomington, MN; sister, Bonnie (Vic) Bieniek of Little Falls, MN; brothers, Wallace (Leona) Soltis of St. Cloud, MN; Dale (Delores) Soltis of Bowlus, MN; Richard (Helen) Soltis of New Hope, MN; Daniel (Irene) Soltis of Blaine, MN; Donald (Karen) Soltis of Atwater, MN and Terrence (Darlene) Soltis of St. Louis Park, MN; daughter in law: Theresa ’Soltis’ (Steve) Rudnicki of Upsala, MN; aunt, Martha (Roger) Nilson of Upsala, MN; grandsons, Benjamin Bick of Stillwater, MN; William Soltis & Raymond Soltis at home; granddaughters, Victoria (John) Walsh of Randall, MN, Erika Bick of Stillwater, MN, & Bryce Soltis at home; great grandchildren: Johnny & Madison Walsh, Ava Bick. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin & Edna Soltis and a son, Alan Soltis.

Tributes

William "Bill" Soltis

May 23, 1928 - February 8, 2009