Kenneth Axel Soderberg, 83, of Austin, died Monday, July 4, 2011, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Born Sept. 24, 1927, to Axel and Evelyn (Peterson) Soderberg in Minneapolis, Minn., Kenneth graduated from South High School and joined the Marine Corps in 1945, earning the title of First Class. After his discharge, Kenneth worked for WMUS in Muskegon, Mich., in April 1948. He married Beverly DuFrayne on June 26, 1948. They relocated to Austin in Sept. 1948 where Ken joined KAUS as a salesman, becoming sales manager in 1951. He was promoted to vice president/general sales manager in 1954 and Vice President/General Manager in 1958. He hosted the Weather and Outdoor Show from 1955-59. In October of 1969 he became General Manager of KWEB AM/FM in Rochester. By 1973 he was General Sales Manager of KVRL-TV in Houston, Texas. Kenneth returned to Austin in 1975 as general manager of KAUS AM/FM and continued there until his retirement in 1998. An active member of the business community and civic organizations, he served on the Governor’s Commission on Human Rights from 1953–55. In 1958, Kenneth was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Austin Junior Chamber of Commerce as well as the Outstanding Young Man award that year from the Eagle’s Club. He was Austin police commissioner from 1960-64, and also served as MC for the Miss Minnesota Pageant for three years. An avid golfer, Kenneth enjoyed the great outdoors, deer hunting and fishing. He was nominated this year to be inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly of Austin; four sons, Dennis Soderberg of Blaine; Scott Soderberg of Austin; Greg Soderberg of Austin; Mark Soderberg of Danville, Ill.; two daughters, Vicki Kordusky of Centerville; Kim Soderberg of Austin (Scott McFarland); six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Jerome (Gwen) Soderberg of San Diego, Calif.; sister, Katherine Roebuck of Panama City, Fla.; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, July 9, 2011, at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with the Rev. Dr. Stephen DeFor officiating. There will be no visitation or reviewal. Interment is at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin with military rites by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216. The family prefers memorials to Mower County Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.