Loretta Christine (Lien) Sourdif, 93 of Thief River Falls, MN passed away Friday, November 10th, 2023 at the Thief River Care Center.

The service to celebrate Loretta's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 20, 2023 with visitation one hour prior to the church at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Burial will follow the luncheon at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM with a 4:00 PM Prayer Service led by Pastor Ollie Urdahl, on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.

Loretta Christine Lien was born July 7th, 1930 at the home of her parents, Henry and Gertie (Qualey) Lien in Alma Township, Marshall County, rural Argyle, MN. She was baptized at Foldahl Township in September 19, 1934 by Rev. Thorvald Myhrer. Loretta was one of 8 siblings-Helmer, Edith, Irene, Leroy, Gorden, Gertrude and Mary Ann.

At the age of 14, in the fall of 1944, she picked potatoes to make money for school clothes, (the wage was 10 cents a bushel), she could pick 40 bushels a day ($4.00).

On July 14, 1945, Loretta married Raymond George Sourdif at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Argyle, MN. Loretta took instructions in the Catholic faith and was confirmed at this time. They were married for 52 years until Ray's death in 1997. To this union 9 children were born, Gorden, Patsy, Susan, Sandra, Larry, Joyce, Wayne, Donald and Michelle who died at birth.

Ray and Loretta purchased their 240 acre farm in New Solum Township, rural Newfolden, MN in the fall of 1946. They milked cows and did small grain farming. Loretta had an upholstery shop, was employed at Northern Pride turkey plant and at Northwestern Hospital in Thief River Falls as a nurse's aid.

In 1986, they sold the farm and moved to Thief River Falls and lived there until 1993, then they moved to Fergus Falls, MN. After Raymond passed away in 1997, Loretta moved back to Thief River Falls and became a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she loved to worship and attend Bible Studies. In April 2018, Loretta became a resident of Valley Home for one year then moved to Thief River Care Center until she passed away.

Loretta was a wonderful cook and baker, loved to sew quilts, crochet, play cards and games. When her children were young, she sewed lots of their clothes, including coats. Loretta loved music and dancing. She directed the Heritage Choir for a few years.

Loretta is survived by her daughters, Pat (Dick) Moen, Susan (Jim) Bevel, Sandy Lubitz; sons, Wayne (Susie) Sourdif, Donald (Darci Johnson), daughter-in-law, Rosalyn Sourdif; son-in-law, Allen Liedberg; 25 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 21 great great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Loretta is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond; sons, Gorden Sourdif, Larry (Elizabeth) Sourdif; daughter, Joyce Liedberg; and son-in-law, John Lubitz.