SORENSON, Wilbur H. (1918-2004)

SORENSON, KING, ZINGG, VERTS, ANDERSON, CHARLSON, HOLT, OTIS

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/11/2016 at 14:10:06

Wilbur Sorenson, 1918-2004

January 14, 2004

Wilbur H. Sorenson, of Rochester, Minnesota, formerly of Crystal Lake, died on Friday, January 9, 2004, at the Samaritan Bethany Heights Care Center in Rochester. He was 85.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 13, at the United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake. The Rev. Gary Marzolf officiated. Music was provided by Barb Larson who accompanied soloist, Teresa Wald. Roger Leerer and Bruce Wubben ushered.

Burial was in the Crystal Lake Cemetery. Military graveside services were provided by the James Rasmussen American Legion Post 409. Casket bearers were Dennis Swalve, Doug Swalve, James Sorenson, Keith Sorenson, Ed Hlllenga and Brad Sorenson. The Ewing Dugger Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Wilbur Hans Sorenson, was born on June 14, 1918, on the family farm southwest of Crystal Lake. He was the first son of Albert and Carrie (King) Sorenson. He graduated from the Crystal Lake High School in May 1936. Wilbur and his brother, Maynard took over the family farming operation following their father's illness in 1936.

In June 1942, Wilbur was inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States. He was stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, from July 1942 until February 1944. During this period, Wilbur finished his basic training and was Driving Instructor of Tanks and Wheeled Vehicles. He attained the rank of Corporal there.

In February 1944, he transferred to Ft. Ord, California. There, the battalion he was in formed the 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. This unit was shipped to the Pacific Theater of action during World War II. Wilbur was awarded four Bronze Battle Stars representing his involvement in four different invasions, which were, the battles of East Indies, New Guinea, Leyte Island in the Southern Philippines, and Luzon Island, Philippine Islands. He also received a Bronze Arrowhead representing the first wave invasion of the island of Brunei, off the northeast coast of Borneo in the South Pacific. He received an honorable discharge in December of 1945 and returned to the family farm in Iowa.

On December 21, 1947, Wilbur and Arleen Zingg were married in the West Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Leland. They lived on the family farm near Crystal Lake. In the summer of 1978, the State of Iowa designated Wilbur and Arleen's farm as a Century Farm. Besides farming, Wilbur delivered motor homes for Winnebago Industries, Inc., Forest City from February 1972 until February of 1990.

He was a life long member of the United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake and a 55 year member of the James Rasmussen American Legion Post 409 of Crystal Lake.

Survivors include his wife, Arleen L. Sorenson of Rochester, Minnesota; two sons, Dean A. Sorenson of Dallas, Texas and Terry L. Sorenson of Rochester; five grandchildren, Sheila Verts and her husband, Drew of Las Vegas, Nevada, Linda Anderson of Oceanside, California, Katie and Stephanie Sorenson of Seattle, Washington and Nathan Sorenson of Rochester; a son-In-law Jerry Anderson of Britt, sister-In-law, Ellen Sorenson of Woden; brothers-In-law, Dale and Arlin Zingg of Leland; sisters-In-law, Ruth Charlson of Golden Valley, Minnesota and Mavis Holt of Cottage Grove, Oregon; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, LeAnn Anderson; his brother, Maynard Sorenson and his sister, Lois Otis and her husband, Mervin Otis.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

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Wilbur Sorenson, 85

Wilbur Sorenson, 85, of Rochester, Minnesota, died on Friday, January 9, 2004, at the Samaritan Bethany Heights Care Center in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 13, at the United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake, with Pastor Gary Marzolf officiating. Interment was in the Crystal Lake Cemetery in Crystal Lake, with Military Graveside Services by the James Rasmussen American Legion Post 409. Arrangements were conducted by the Ewing Dugger Funeral Home of Britt. Soloist, Teresa Wald was accompanied by Barb Larson. Casket bearers were Dennis Swalve, Doug Swalve, James Sorenson, Keith Sorenson, Ed Hillenga and Brad Sorenson.

Wilbur, the first son of Albert and Carrie (King) Sorenson, was born on June 14, 1918, on the family farm southwest of Crystal Lake. Wilbur graduated from the Crystal Lake High School in May 1936. He and his brother, Maynard took over the family farming operation following their father's illness in 1936. In June 1942, Wilbur received his notice of the draft for service in the Armed Forces of the United States. The Department of War stationed Wilbur on the Army Post in Fort Knox, Kentucky, from July 1942 until February 1944. During this period, Wilbur finished his basic training and was driving instructor of tanks and wheeled vehicles. He attained the rank of Corporal there.

In February 1944, he transferred to Fort Ord, California. There, the battalion he was in formed the 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. This unit was shipped to the Pacific Theater of action during World War II and saw involvement in various combat actions. Wilbur was awarded four Bronze Battle Stars representing his involvement in four separate invasions, which were the battles of East Indies, New Guinea, Leyte Island in the Southern Philippines and Luzon Island, Philippine Islands. He also received a Bronze Arrowhead representing the first wave invasion of the island of Brunei, off the northeast coast of Borneo, in the South Pacific. In July 1945, while en-route to Japan, they heard over a short wave radio from London that the United States dropped atomic bombs on two Japanese cities. A few days later, the peace treaty was signed and the invasion was not necessary. Wilbur received his honorable discharge in December 1945. He then returned to the family farm in Iowa.

On December 21, 1947, Wilbur and Arleen Zingg were married in the West Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Leland. They lived on the family farm near Crystal Lake that was homesteaded in 1878 by his grandparents. In the summer of 1978, the State of Iowa designated Wilbur and Arleen's farm as a Century Farm. Besides farming, Wilbur delivered motor homes for Winnebago Industries, Inc. from February 1972 until February of 1990. Wilbur was a life long member of the United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake and a 55-year member of the James Rasmussen American Legion Post 409, also in Crystal Lake.

Wilbur is survived by his wife, Arleen of Rochester, Minnesota; two sons, Dean A. Sorenson of Dallas, Texas and Terry L. Sorenson of Rochester, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Sheila Verts and her husband, Drew of Las Vegas, Nevada, Linda Anderson of Oceanside, California, Katie and Stephanie Sorenson of Seattle, Washington and Nathan Sorenson of Rochester, Minnesota; son-in-law, Jerry Anderson of Britt; sisters-in-law, Ellen Sorenson of Woden, Ruth Zingg of Leland, Mavis Holt of Cottage Grove, Oregon and Ruth Charlson of Golden Valley, Minnesota; brothers-in-law, Dale and Arlin Zingg of Leland and Oscar B. Charlson of Golden Valley, Minnesota; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, LeAnn Anderson; a brother, Maynard Sorenson; and a sister, Lois Otis and her husband, Mervin Otis.

© 2004 Forest City Summit, Published January 21, 2004, Page B-5