Joel Maurice Sorenson, the son of Harold and Agnes Fingerson Sorenson, was born January 5, 1936 in Spencer, Iowa. His childhood years were spent in rural Spencer, where he received his education in country schools and later graduated from Spencer High School in 1954. Following his schooling, he entered the Iowa National Guard, where he served for six years.
Joel married Ellen Schomaker on April 5, 1959 in Ames, Iowa. Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm between Dickens and Spencer, where they farmed for their entire life. He was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer, serving on the church board. Joel was also active in Clay County and served as Clay County Supervisor for 16 years. He also served on several boards in Clay County including: Terril School Board, UDM Board, and the Farm Bureau Board. He was also active with the FFA and was a member of the AMPI Dairy Producers Association, Clay County Cattleman's Association and the Clay County Pork Producer's Association, where he was also on the board.
Joel passed away at the Spencer Hospital on Thursday, November 23, 2006 at the age of 70. He was preceded in death by his parents, aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen of Dickens; two sons: Jon and his wife, Linda Sorenson of rural Terril, IA and Jay and his wife, Lori of rural Dickens, IA; one daughter, Carol and her husband, Brad Bates of Houston, TX; 8 grandchildren; one great grandson; one sister, Judy Sorenson of Spencer; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Dyer of Ames, IA; a brother-in-law and his wife, John and Maggie Schomaker of rural Roland, IA; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many, many friends.
SERVICES
Funeral Services will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, November 29,2006 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer.
ORGANIST - Jan Palm
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
"Beautiful Savior"
and "Borning Cry"
SOLO - "Because He Lives"
By Wendell Williams
OFFICIATING
Pastor Tom Dettmer will officiate.
CASKET BEARERS
CASKET BEARERS
Jerry Bishop - Gary Jackson
Al Schmidt - Bill Hemme
Lynn Galbraith - John Schurr
VISITATION
INTERMENT
Riverside Cemetery
Spencer, Iowa