Obit: Sorenson, Richard "Dick" Karl (1944 - 2006)

Contact:  Doloes (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Sorenson, Keweuer, Gullekson, Kapfer, Krueger, Nievinski, Trujillo, West, Denney, Tualaulelei

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, WI) March 1, 2006

Sorenson, Richard "Dick" Karl (February 6, 1944 - February 20, 2006)

Richard Karl "Dick" Sorenson, age 62, of Hillsboro, and formerly of Janesville died on Monday February 20, 2006 at St. Joseph Hospital in Hillsboro.

Richard was born on February 6, 1944 in Oconomowoc, son of the late Phillip and Helen (Kleweuer) Sorenson. In his youth, Dick lived in Milwaukee, Oconomowoc, and Okauchee areas, where he attended grade school and high school. From March 1961 until June of 1962, he served in the United States Marine Corps in California and Okinawa. While in the Marines, he competed in the boxing ring and developed a very good knockout record. In June of 1963 he married Dianne Gullekson of Oconomowoc and they had two children, Karl and Kevin. He later married Jerri Kapfer Krueger of Janesville on November 8, 1980.

During his school days, Dick developed an interest in music leading him to attend Career Academy in California to become a disc jockey. After graduation he worked at several radio stations including WCLO (Sorenson Country) in Janesville, WTSO in Madison, and WDLB in Marshfield. Dick also entertained people in the Janesville and Madison area with his country band, ‘Dick Sorenson and the Country Gentleman.’

He hosted several country music shows in Janesville, and a number of tours to Nashville and an outdoor sports program. After his marriage to Jerri, they bought the Elmer Kapfer farm near Granton, at Hwys K & 73, formerly known as Cannonville Corners. There, Dick had several jobs including crop farming, running a used car lot, and providing transportation for the local Amish community. In his spare time, Dick enjoyed going to auctions, deer hunting and fishing with is family and friends.

In 1995, back injuries and lung problems forced him to retire. In 1999, Dick and Jerri sold the farm and moved outside of Hillsboro, where they built a log house in the hills along Hwy C. There he enjoyed spending time with his sons, and their families.

Dick is survived by his wife, Jerri; and two sons, Karl Sorenson of Janesville; and Kevin (Cindy) Sorenson of Mosinee; step-son, Chad Krueger of Appleton; three grandsons, Philip, Austin and Thomas; two step-grandchildren, Clint and Claire Nievinski; two brothers, Gary (Mitzie) Sorenson of Las Vegas; and Steve (Lynda) Sorenson of Marco Island, FL; one sister, Phylis (Michael) Trujillo of Grover City, CA; five half-sisters, Dianne (Steve) West of Clyman, Christine Sorenson; Dawn Denney; Terri Sorenson all of CA; and Pam (Fili) Tualaulelei of Hawaii; step-mother, Dorothy Sorenson of CA; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his grandparents.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 25, at the Whitcomb-Lynch-Albrecht Funeral Home, 15 N. Jackson St. Rev. Judi Huseth officiated. Burial followed at Bethel Cemetery.