Sorenson, Lester Kenneth 1934 - 2014

SORENSON, HOTVEDT, RYAN, HENRY, WEDMANN, BIRDSELL, HANSON, LARSON, JACOBSON, BEARD, MCGAVICK, MYERS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/17/2014 at 12:35:44

Lester Sorenson, age 79, of Decorah, IA, died on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Phil Gibbs presiding. Burial will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, Decorah, IA.

Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m., on Monday, May 12, 2014, at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Ave, Decorah, Iowa, and also on Tuesday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at the Funeral Home. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Monday.

Lester Kenneth Sorenson was born on December 5, 1934, the son of Leonard and Katherine (Hotvedt) Sorenson in Decorah, IA. Lester was baptized on January 20, 1935 and confirmed on April 30, 1950, at the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church, rural Decorah. Lester attended rural schools and graduated from Decorah High School in 1953. Lester married Gerry Ryan on September 18, 1956, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah. Four children were born to this union: Leslie, Steve, Julie, and Kelly. Lester served in the U.S. Army from 1957 – 1959. Les worked for the Fred Carlson Company for 51 years, retiring in 2002. He was hired by his father in the summer when he was 16 years old. He worked as a laborer, semi driver, equipment operator, heavy equipment mechanic, foreman, and manager. Lester was a good teacher and taught many of the company employees how to operate and fix equipment and how to work hard. He was involved in all operations at the Fred Carlson Company throughout his career, including, concrete paving, asphalt paving, sand and gravel and ready mix concrete. He could fix anything and was very innovative. Lester was always looking for ways to improve operations. Les enjoyed hunting, fishing, cards, square dancing, rock collecting, and camping. He and Gerry loved to travel, and were able to visit all fifty states. He had a great sense of humor. Most of all Les enjoyed spending time with his family. Lester was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and St. Benedict Catholic Church.

Lester is survived by his wife: Gerry Sorenson, Decorah, IA. Four children: Leslie (Virginia) Sorenson, Decorah, IA; Steve (Sandy Johnson) Sorenson, Decorah, IA; Julie (Shawn) Henry, Decorah, IA; and Kelly (Bill) Wedmann, Decorah, IA. Six grandchildren: Amy and Emily Sorenson, Michele (Justin) Birdsell, Erica (Mitch) Hanson, Sage and Ciara Wedmann. Six great grandchildren: Austin, Mason, Wyatt, Addison, Riley, and Elle. Three Sisters: Arlene (Duane) Larson, Decorah, IA; Edna Jacobson, Decorah, IA; Marilyn (Jay) Beard, Decorah, IA. Brother: Dale (Connie) Sorenson, Bullhead City, Arizona. Sisters-in-law: Charlie Sorenson, Decorah, IA; Joan McGavick, Coeur d’ Alene, ID; Anna Myers, Ridgeway, IA. Brothers-in-law: Tom (Elsie) Ryan, Cresco, IA; Phil (Ellen) Ryan, Cresco, IA; Dean (Marcie) Ryan, Cresco, IA; Virgil (Joan) Henry, Ridgeway, IA. Many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents: Leonard and Katherine (Hotvedt) Sorenson. Brothers: Arnold Sorenson and Elmer Sorenson. Grandson: Nicholas Steven Sorenson. Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law: Mary Henry, Harold “Bud” Jacobson, Paul (Evelyn) Ryan, Robert Ryan, Leo McGavick, Gene Myers.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

St. Benedict Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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