The funeral service for Roger Laverne Sorenson of Albert Lea will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral service in Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church. Military honors will be accorded.
Roger died Sunday, March 7, 2010, at Austin Medical Center. He was 83 years old.
Roger Laverne Sorenson was born on Aug. 11, 1926, in Albert Lea. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He attended Albert Lea High School.
From 1944 to 1946, he was in the U.S. Army as a military policeman.
Roger married Phyllis Anderson on Oct. 8, 1947, in Westbrook.
Roger started his auto mechanic career with John Ruud in Albert Lea. He soon opened his own business, Sorenson’s Garage, specializing in automotive transmissions. During his career, he trained and mentored many young mechanics in the field of car repair.
Roger and Phyllis owned many rental houses in Albert Lea. They both worked hard to have clean and well-kept homes in the community for people to live in.
Roger is survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis; two daughters: Dr. Diane Sorenson (Dr. Allen Meurer) of Dubuque, Iowa, and Julie (Joe) Schnieders of Indianola, Iowa; four grandchildren: Karina and Timothy Schnieders and Virginia and Christopher Meurer; brother, Herbert (Caroline) Sorenson of Albert Lea; two sisters: Dawn (Harold) Runden and Charlotte Vinge both of Albert Lea; nephews: Mark Sorenson of Casper, Wyo., Steven Vinge of Woodbury, Gary Vinge of Clarks Grove and Larry Sorenson of Albert Lea; nieces: Mary Runden of Rochester and Andrea MacCarthy of San Antonio, Texas; and brother-in-law, Arvid (Christina) Anderson, of Fort Worth, Texas.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents: Carl and Mabel Sorenson; brother, Lemoyne (Lorraine) Sorenson; brother-in-law, Duane Vinge; father and mother-in-law, Vidor and Agnes Anderson; and many uncles, aunts, and close friends.
Roger knew how to fix everything and enjoyed watching the Twins. He was a longtime member of the American Legion, Eagles, and Elks. He looked forward to spending time with his family, grandkids, friends, and pets. He will be deeply missed.
Memorials can be made in Roger’s name to the charity of your choice or to the Alzheimer’s Association.