Harley A. Sorenson 1922 - 2003

SORENSON BURGESS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/13/2014 at 17:53:13

Onawa Sentinel
11 December 2003

Harley A. Sorenson, 81, Onawa, Iowa passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2003 at Burgess Health Center in Onawa.

Harley was born June 1, 1922 at Woonsocket, South Dakota, the son of James and Helen (Sorenson) Sorenson. The family moved to Moorhead, Iowa and Harley attended school in Castana.

He served in the United States Army from February 28, 1942 until his discharge January 4, 1946. During World War II he was stationed in the Pacific Theater in Northern Solomons and Luzon.

He married Betty Burgess in 1951. September 4, 1957 he married Bessie (Rees) Gilson in Elk Point, South Dakota. He served the Onawa area for 47 years, as co-owner and operator of Monona Plumbing and Heating with Ted Hamilton and later owned and operated Sorenson Plumbing and Heating.

He was a member of United Methodist Church at Onawa and Monona County VFW Post #2694.

Survivors include his wife, Bessie of Onawa; two sons and their wives, Larry and Rhonda Sorenson of Brentwood, CA and Curtis and Cheryl Gilson of Council Bluffs, Iowa; four grandchildren, Jamie Luneckas, Laura Sorenson, and Jason and Megan Blattspieler; a brother and his wife, Everett and Dorothy of Onawa; a sister-in-law, Mary Jane Sorenson of Onawa and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Leibold; three brothers, Chris, Virgil and Clarence and two infant sisters.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2003 at Rush Family Chapel in Onawa with Pastor Chuck Layton officiating. Music selections were "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and "How Great Thou Art" with Patty Gibson, soloist and Ruth Jordan, organist. Burial was in Onawa Cemetery. Military honors were conducted by the United States Army and Monona County VFW Post #2694. Visitation was Friday from. 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Casket bearers were Dale Black, Bob McCracken, Lyle Lambert, Dick Stevenson, Darl Miller and Byron Thelander.