Carrol Sorensen

Carrol Lemar Sorensen, 82, of Columbia Falls, died Sept. 17, 2012, at Health Center Northwest, in Kalispell.

He was born at home to Tena (Larsen) and Alfred Sorensen on Jan. 10, 1930, in Turner County near Hurley, S.D. He was the fourth of six children and the youngest son. He attended country schools and graduated from Irene High School in 1948.

He served honorably in the Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean War. On Aug.15, 1955, he married Beverly Nielsen.

After he attended trade school for Linotype in Charles City, Iowa, they settled in Thermopolis, Wyo., where daughter Betty Jo (BJ) and son Leslie were born. They relocated to Columbia Falls in 1963 when he began employment at Hungry Horse News.

Daughter Dawn joined the family shortly thereafter, and later they were blessed with their youngest daughter Mary. In 1973, Carrol began employment at Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant while maintaining a small printing business. He retired in 1993.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lorell, Lowell and Glenmore, and one grandson Ben.

He is survived by his much beloved wife and children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild, as well as his sisters Lilac Knox and Adel Ackerman, and many dear and valued friends.

Carrol was a man of great love and a huge heart. His greatest pride was in his children, grandchildren and great grandchild. But he also loved his community and friends, and gave immeasurably of his time and care to them, volunteering at the Senior Center, delivering Meals on Wheels, and many others. His service earned him the honor of Senior of the Year for the Flathead Valley in 1997.

Besides spending time with family and friends, he especially loved music, singing with the Columbia Falls Community Chorus and playing guitar and singing with The Troubadours and The Jammers. He also loved gardening, woodworking in his shop, and photography.

Memorial services will take place at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, in Columbia Falls, on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 11 a.m.