Andy Sorensen, 63, Albert Lea
Published 10:39 am Thursday, March 13, 2014
Andy C. Sorensen, 63, died in his sleep March 10, 2014, at his home in Albert Lea. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Revs. Timothy Reker and Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by Albert Lea Veteran’s Organizations. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church.
Andy was born Feb. 27, 1951, in Fairmont to Lawrence and Viola (Miller) Sorensen. He graduated from Wells High School in 1969 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1974. While in the Army, Andy earned certificates in law enforcement and went on to Rochester Community College to earn his associates degree in law enforcement. In the late ’70s Andy worked for Wilson Foods in Farmstead. In the early ’90s Andy went to Riverland Technical College to earn his electrical certificate and went on to work at Viracon in Owatonna.
Andy was united in marriage to Barb (Behr) Sorensen on June 21, 1980, at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Albert Lea. Andy had one daughter Kari Sorensen.
Andy enjoyed being an active member of his community and helping others when and where he could. Andy was a Jaycee in the 1970s and 1980s where he served on various board positions and was chapter president in 1984 and 1985. Andy joined the American Legion in the 1990s, and enjoyed serving in their color guard. Andy also joined the band boosters in 1997 and traveled with the band as a guide for the band’s color guard. He then served on the original planning committee of the Festival of Bands during the years it was active in Albert Lea.
In his spare time, Andy enjoyed hunting and fishing. Additionally, Andy enjoyed using his woodworking skills to build furniture for family members and anyone else who asked. Andy had an extensive model railroad collection in his basement that kept him busy after his stroke and during his retirement. He loved spending time with his family and friends.
Andy is survived by his wife Barb (Behr) Sorensen of Albert Lea and daughter Kari Sorensen of Coon Rapids; brothers Lenny Sorensen of Albert Lea and John Sorensen and wife Hyon of Killeen, Texas; mother-in-law Mary Behr of Albert Lea; sisters-in–law Chris Thompson of Kensett, Iowa and Pat Beck (Larry) of Alden; brother-in-law Mark Behr (Janelle) of Conger; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Preceding Andy in death are his parents Lawrence and Viola Sorensen and father-in-law Kenny Behr.