Helen Sorenson, 88, died on Saturday, November 27, 2004, at Valley Home in Thief River Falls, MN.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 2, 2004 " 10:30 AM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Newfolden, MN, with Pastor Nancy Hanson, officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Newfolden, MN.
Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with a prayer service held at 6:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls and on Thursday one hour prior to the service in the church.
Helen Jeanette Moen was born on June 14, 1916, in Spruce Valley Township, Marshall County, Minnesota, the daughter of Albert J. and Clara Henrietta (Moen) Moen. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed as an adult with her children. She attended school at rural Spruce Valley Evans School and Newfolden High School.
On March 7, 1935, Helen was united in marriage to Stanley Sorenson at the Evangelical Free Church parsonage in Newfolden. Stanley's work on the Soo Line RR brought the couple to Portal, ND in 1945 and later to Harvey, ND. After Stanley's retirement they lived in the Brainerd, MN area from 1980-1988. Helen remained in Brainerd after Stanley's death until 1992 when she moved to Thief River Falls. She spent the last five years of her life at Valley Home where she enjoyed visiting with old and new friends.
Helen enjoyed doing many crafts, especially crocheting, and working on crosswork puzzles. But mostly she enjoyed having relatives and friends around her to share a cup of coffee, a cookie or a piece of candy.
Helen is survived by her daughter JoAnn (James) Gibbs, Brentwood, CA, and daughter-in-law Mary Sorenson, Gold Canyon, AZ; grandchildren Pam (Randy) Shannon, Kathleen (Daniel) Brown, David (Sandra) Sorenson, Jay (Jody) Sorenson, Greg (Nicole) Gibbs; great grandchildren Kelly, Bridget, Crystal, Tracey, Sarah, Jason, Ryan, Jennifer, Maycen, Rilee, Jamie; sisters Lilly Olson, Newfolden, MN, Nadine Hunziker, Alysis, IL; brother Loren (Ruby) Moen, Thief River Falls, MN, along with several nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Stanley, son Donald, parents, grandson James Gibbs, sisters Ella Reed, Edith Johanneck, Clarice Palmer, and brother Kenneth Moen.
PIANIST: Kathy Rokke SPECIAL MUSIC: New Hope Praise Singers
SELECTIONS: "Amazing Grace" and "Because He Lives"
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" #439 and "How Great Thou Art" #532
PALLBEARERS: Pam Shannon, Kathy Brown, Greg Gibbs, David Sorenson, and Jay Sorenson