Obit: Sorenson, Richard (1942 - 2010)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audrey@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Sorenson, Engen, Mikutowski

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, Wis. 23 June 2010)

Sorenson, Richard (02 OCT 1942 - 12 JUNE 2010)

Rev. Richard E. Sorenson, 67, Eau Claire, formerly of Greenwood, died on Saturday, June 12, 2010, while visiting his niece at her home in Mondovi. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, June 19, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Foster. The Rev. Kermit Solem officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Richard E. Sorenson was born on Oct. 2, 1942, in Eau Claire, to Arthur and Martha (nee Engen) Sorenson. He was raised in Eleva, where he was baptized and confirmed at Eleva Lutheran Church. He graduated from Eleva-Strum High School in 1960, and went on to graduate from Augsburg College, Minneapolis and then the Luther Seminary of St. Paul, in 1970. He was ordained later that year. He married Mary Mikutowski on Aug. 9, 1968, in South St. Paul. During his career as a pastor, he served a 3-point parish in Holt and Thief River Falls in Minneapolis, before returning to Wisconsin to serve a 2-point parish in Clayton and Rural Clear Lake. He then served at Rock Creek Parish in Rock Falls before moving to Greenwood to serve at Our Savior’s Lutheran and Emmanuel Lutheran parishes from April 1984-93. At the time of his death, he was the pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Foster. Through the years, he helped with various church projects. While in Greenwood, he served on various community committees, including the city centennial committee. He was the current president of the Eau Claire Municipal Band, he enjoyed attending plays and concerts, and was working on his 50^th high school class reunion and a celebration of his 40^th anniversary as a priest, which was to be held on June 27.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; two brothers, James (Joyce) Sorenson, Mandan, N.D., and John (Ruth) Sorenson, Hickery, N.C.; a sister, Norma (Richard) Fretiem, Kalispell, Mont; and nieces, nephews, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents.