Edward Sorteberg

Edward Allen Sorteberg, 91, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 18, 2024, following an 18-month battle with heart and kidney failure.
Ed was born on March 3, 1933, in Rose Hill (now Lauderdale), Minnesota, where he grew up in the home his father built. A dedicated student, he had near-perfect attendance and graduated with honors from Murray High School in 1951.

In 1953, Ed was drafted into the U.S. Army. After completing leadership training, he served as a radio operator in Japan. Upon returning home, he graduated from Dunwoody Institute in 1958 as a draftsman. 

While a student at Dunwoody, Ed met Patricia Koehn. They were married on August 1, 1959, and together raised a large family, which Ed worked diligently to support. He retired at age 69 as a plant supervisor and purchaser at Loram. 

The most transformative moment in Ed and Pat’s life came in 1976 during a Marriage Encounter retreat. It was there that Christ became real to them in a life-changing way. Their faith became central to everything they did, and from that point forward, they even dressed alike as a symbol of their oneness.

Ed served as an elder at Church Upon the Rock, Abundant Life, and Crossroads Covenant churches. In 1993, he joined a church-planting mission trip to the Ukraine. After retiring [which he called re-firement], Ed and Pat moved to Kansas, where Ed helped spearhead the Simeon Ministry at the International House of Prayer. Returning to Minnesota in 2004. They devoted their senior years to serving their church, especially in the Prayer Room, and helping with Amy’s six children. 

Ed was a quiet, orderly and disciplined man who found strength in routine. He faithfully began each morning with stretching and exercise, followed by time in God’s Word. Before bed he loved his hour of praise and worship. Ed was best known for sharing Scripture, gospel tracts, devotionals, or inspirational messages with those around him. Although more of a doer than a talker, he was famous for his well thought out one liners, like “The currency of God’s Kingdom is Love.” 

He also found joy in: keeping up on current events and sport teams, playing card games especially his homemade version of the board game Sequence, fishing, golfing with his sons, attending Minnesota Twins games with family, trips to the BWCA, bowling league (1951–1976), solving puzzles, photography, and collecting stamps and coins. 

The family would like to thank the wonderful care team at Hospice of the Midwest, and Jan Lee who made it possible for Ed to remain in his home. 

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Gertrude Sorteberg; his beloved wife of 63 years, Patricia J. (Koehn) Sorteberg; and his brother, Robert Sorteberg. He is survived by his children: Pamela (Mike) Mullen, Angela (Daniel) Yaekel, Scott (Lisa) Sorteberg, Jennifer Yaekel, Troy Sorteberg, Tony (Julie) Sorteberg, and Amy Vivone; grandchildren: Michael, Melissa (Luke), Jessica, Ben (Crystal), Brandon, Sarah (Robin), Hannah (Justin), Kollin, Roman (Mai), Callista, Elizabeth, Judah, Moriah, Mary, Anthony, Daunte, Anneka, Isabella, and Gabriel; and great-grandchildren: Nora, Oliver, Liberty, Frederick, William, Evelyn, Calvin, Owen, Elijah, and Daphne. 

He is also survived by his siblings Jack (Shirley) Sorteberg and Marlene (Ron) Zechmeister; sisters-in-law Kathy Sorteberg and Phyllis (Koehn) Brezgel; many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, friends—and Jan Lee, his covenant partner in later life. Widowed around the same time, Ed and Jan became fast, inseparable companions, bringing one another comfort and joy.

 A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11 at Presbyterian Church of the Master, 789 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN. The family will greet friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the church. Private interment was held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Samaritan’s Purse.