Christopher James Sorensen

Christopher Sorensen, 53, of Eagan, passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Estes funeral home at 2201 Plymouth Ave N in Minneapolis, MN. Christopher James Sorensen was born on February 11, 1970, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Carl Sorensen and Mary Sorensen (Kennedy). When he was 8 years old, his family moved to Montevideo, where his dad took on the role of Chief of Police. Chris was a star athlete during high school and was well respected by his peers. He was a running back on the high school football team, and his 1986 record of 1,529 rushing yards was broken only last year: his record of 9.9 yards per carry will likely never be broken. Chris graduated from high school in Montevideo in 1988. Chris received a scholarship to play football at St. Cloud State University, where he graduated in 1993 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice Studies and Sociology. During his studies Chris served as the President of the Student Coalition Against Racism (SCAR). While in St. Cloud, Chris met the love of his life, Maria McKinnies. They were married on September 19, 1995, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He started his career working for the Minneapolis Urban League, and then went to the Harriet Tubman Center, where he led the violence prevention program. Chris earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Minnesota in 2000. In 2001, Chris was appointed as the Director Lincoln, Lyon, and Murray Human Services in Marshall, Minnesota, and then in 2011 he became the Director of Health and Human Services for Southwest Minnesota. He and his spouse raised their four children in Marshall. They moved back to the Twin Cities in 2017 when Chris was appointed as Director of Community Services for Washington County. Chris enjoyed cooking, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his family. Chris is survived by his spouse, Maria McKinnies Sorensen of Eagan; children, Jasmine Sorensen of Minneapolis, Christopher Sorensen of Eagan, Kevin Sorensen of Minneapolis, and Alijah Sorensen of Eagan; mother Mary Sorensen of Richfield, father Carl Sorensen and his wife Ruth Sparrow of Bayport; brother Neil Sorensen, sister-in-law Marie-Laure Hameury, and niece Winona Hameury Sorensen of Noisy Le Sec, France; and his godson Tra' Carter of Minneapolis. Arrangements are with Estes Funeral Chapel in Minneapolis. For the online guestbook visit https://www.estesfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Christopher-Sorensen-3/#!/TributeWall