OBITUARY: Stanley Sorenson

Stanley Roger Sorenson, age 90, of Crookston, MN, died unexpectedly early Monday morning, November 12, 2012, at his Crookston home. Stan was born in Wheaton, MN on July 3, 1922, the son of Emil K. and Eleanor (Jones) Sorenson. He grew up in Wheaton and was a 1941 graduate of Wheaton High School. Stan enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on January 3, 1942 and was stationed at Atlantic coast cities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, and Florida; and Pacific coast cities in California. He returned to Minnesota after receiving his honorable discharge on December 18, 1945, with the rank of Petty Officer lst Class. He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks in 1950, and a year later began working as office manager for the Otter Tail Power Company at Fergus Falls, MN. The Company transferred him to Hallock, MN in 1953, and then to Crookston in 1959. On October 19, 1963 Stan was united in marriage to Mary Luverne (Rife) Anderson at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Crookston. After a very fulfilling thirty-three career with Otter Tail Power, Stan retired in 1984. A year later he and Luverne moved to Baudette, MN, near Lake of the Woods, where they enjoyed fishing and working in their flower gardens, and doing lots of traveling. The couple moved back to Crookston in 1993, where sadly, Luverne passed away on October 4, 2002. On June 6, 2003 Stan married Mary Lou (Feldman) Olson Wagner at Crookston. Stan and Mary Lou had been making their home to the present time. Stan was very proud of his service to his country with the Coast Guard, and of the many friends he made during his tenure with Otter Tail Power. He was a devoted member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and also held memberships in Crookston's American Legion Post #20 and VFW Post #1902. He was a longtime member of Crookston Masonic Lodge 141 AF&AM, and the Kem Temple Shrine of Grand Forks. Stan loved his family dearly and his loss will be felt very deeply by all who were touched by his life.

Stan leaves his wife of nine years, Mary Lou; his daughter, Ardis Armstrong of Eagan, MN; 2 grandchildren, Michael Armstrong of Rosemount, MN and Jessica Armstrong of Eagan; a great-granddaughter, Elly Armstrong of Eagan; 2 step-children, Craig (MaryAnne) Olson of Lexington, KY and Jolene (Donovan) Lundin of Bemidji; 2 step-grandchildren, Sara Blackthorne and Faith Lundin; 2 sisters: Phyllis (Tom) Fitzgerald of Finland, MN and Loretta (Art) Giroux of Wheaton, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to his first wife, Luverne, Stan was preceded in death by his parents; and 2 sisters, Emily and Shirley. May God richly bless Stan's memory.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Stanley R. Sorenson will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 15, 2012 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Bill Reck, officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5-7:00 p.m., with a 6:00 p.m. prayer service followed by a 6:30 p.m. Masonic service that is open to the public. Visitation will also be at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council and the National Guard Honors Unit from Moorhead, MN. Interment will be at the Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston.  www.stenshoelhouske.com