William "Bill" Sorenson

William "Bill" Sorenson  was born on July 13, 1936 to Everett and Jennie (Pedersen) Sorenson in Eden Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota. He attended country school until the 8th grade.  He graduated from Pipestone High School in 1954. In January, 1955, he enlisted in the Army.  He completed training at Fort Riley, Kansas, before being transferred to Germany, where he was stationed until January 1958.  He returned to Minnesota and worked for Mpls Moline Company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In September 1958, he began working for Walkup Implement as a parts man and salesman. Bill met Lois Goltz on a blind date in March of 1959.   They were married at Tracy Methodist Church in Tracy, Minnesota on September 5, 1959. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone where he continued his career in sales and service at the Pipestone Boat Factory (Bayliner), HyPane Gas Company, Skelgas, Thermo-gas, and Cenex. Following his retirement in 1998, he worked part time for Ludolph Bus Service for a number of years. Lois preceded him in death on May 8, 2018. After her death, Bill continued to live in their home, the house with the purple door.  Bill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January of 2024. On February 23, he entered the Pipestone County Hospice House where he passed away on February 24, 2024 at the age of 87.  

Bill was a member of First Lutheran Church. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #6.  He and Lois were members of the Hiawatha Club for 48 years.  He was involved in various aspects of the club, from running the arc lights for the annual Song of Hiawatha Pageant to serving as President of the club and directing the production, among other duties.

Bill was a loving, caring husband and father.   He tirelessly supported Lois during her battle with dementia.  They logged many miles walking the halls of the Good Samaritan Home hand in hand. Bill enjoyed spending time with family and friends, waterskiing (until age 70), snowmobiling, dancing, and playing cards.  Summer vacations in northern Minnesota with his children and grandchildren were a 40+ year tradition and were always a highlight of his year.  He was an avid supporter of his children’s sporting events, rarely missing a football or basketball game.  Bill enjoyed woodworking and building furniture.   He was a true handyman and could fix anything.  Morning coffee was an important part of his routine; shaking dice to see who paid for coffee that day and catching up with what was happening around town.  He enjoyed working around his  home and yard, sharing his tomato and rhubarb crops with family and friends.  Bill was known for his daily walks around his neighborhood, checking in on building projects along the way.  He was a friend to many and enjoyed sharing stories and conversation with those around him.

 

He is lovingly remembered by his children, Lesa Sorenson of Lakeville, Minnesota, Londa (Erik) Quittem of Lakeville, and Bradlee (Sandra) Sorenson of Plymouth, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren, Kallie (Otto) Billings, Kira (Robert) Wicklander, Kerstyn (Joshua) Hunsaker, Nick Sorenson, Dani Sorenson, Jacob Sorenson, Jonah Sorenson, James Sorenson, Riley (Elisabeth) Sorenson, Will Sorenson and Elizabeth (Derek) Purvis; five great-grandchildren, Hadley Wicklander, Bennett Wicklander, Lucas Sorenson, Brodan Purvis and Grady Purvis;  and one sister, Ann Sorenson of Edina, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his son, Barton; his parents; and two brothers, Lauren Sorenson and Robert Sorenson.  

Memorials are preferred and may be directed to either of the following charities that Bill designated:

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The American Macular Degeneration Foundation