Ryland "Ry" Sorensen

Ryland "Ry" Sorensen passed away at Fort Harrison, Montana, on Wednesday, July 14, 2016, as a result of long-term effects from a brain injury he suffered in 2006. Most recently Ry fought and beat Lymphoma yet his body was tired and he is now at peace.

Ry was born in Yankton, S.D., to Virgil and Dorothy Sorensen. He grew up in Rapid City, S.D. and left home at age 17 to join the Navy, where he proudly served from 1965-1969. Ry was the recipient of the Purple Heart Award and numerous other military honors. He then returned to school to earn his GED, followed by a degree in English, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1973 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in History from Northern State College in Aberdeen, S.D.

He married Peggy Swenson in 1967; from that union Ross was born. They later divorced, and Ry married Kathi Durheim, who brought her son Scott to their union; Ry considered Scott to be his son, as well. And in 1975, daughter Christina joined the family. Ry worked as a chemical dependency counselor in Aberdeen, S.D.; then the Sorensen's lived in Mobridge, S.D., where Ry worked as a probation officer for the 5th Circuit Court. In 1980, the Sorensen's moved to Billings where Ry began his long, rewarding career at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. Over the course of 26 years, Ry served as a house parent, the Director of Social Services, the Director of Operations, and in 2004, as the CEO.

Ry truly believed in and lived the motto of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch: "It sure makes a difference when you know somebody cares." He devoted his life to children's mental health services and cared deeply about the children as well as staff at the Ranch. Ry will be remembered by so many for his service to others-both in the military and in his work at the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

His family and friends will lovingly remember his dry sense of humor, his captivating voice and his infinite wisdom that he shared with so many. They also remember what an eloquent, animated speaker he was and how he "spoke with his hands."

Ry was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, a sister, and a grandchild. He is survived by son Scott Sorensen of Apple Valley, CA; son Ross Sorensen (wife Jessica and children Cole and Audrey); and daughter Christina Ward (husband James and children Preston Kavlie, Sydne Kavlie, Cassidy Ward, and Lizzie Ward.) He is also survived by his sister Virginia Keller and brother Marty Sorensen.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., July 22, with military honors will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 328 South Shiloh Road, in Billings. Following the service, a celebration of Ry's life reception will be held at the Masonic Lodge in Laurel. At Ry's youngest granddaughter Lizzie's request, yellow and green balloons will be released at the reception in celebration of her Poppa's party in Heaven and a life well-lived. Dad, we will always know that in your heart you finished well. A Graveside Service will be held 2 p.m., July 25, at Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Helena.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to Frontier Cancer Center, SVH ICU staff and Ft. Harrison Hospital. Dr. Sorensen walked our family through some of our darkest times all the while bringing humor and reality simultaneously. Thank you for treating our Dad / Poppa with dignity and compassion.

Memorials are suggested to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, 2050 Overland Ave., Billings MT 59102. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ry.