Ronald Sorenson

Funeral Services for Ronald Lamarr Sorenson of Albert Lea, will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Reverend Shane Koepke will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church. Ronald (Ron) Sorenson passed away peacefully Tuesday July 11, 2017 at St. John's Lutheran Home surrounded by his family. He was 79. Ronald Lamarr Sorenson was born March 10, 1938 in Albert Lea, MN to Ernest and Stella (Erickson) Sorenson. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He graduated from Albert Lea High in 1956. He was united in marriage to Virginia King at First Lutheran Church in 1958. They were blessed with two children -Cindy and Connie. He was employed by Interstate Power for 35 1/2 years starting as a meter reader and retiring as Gas Superintendent in 1998. He was a lifetime resident of Albert Lea and a member of Grace Lutheran Church. Ron became a member of the Fraternal Of Eagles Aerie 2258 in April of 1959 and became active right away. He was a proud member of the Aerie Ritual Team from 1959 thru 2007. He enjoyed not only his local Ritual team members, but all the friends he made throughout the State and Nationally. He was National Ritual Chairman from 2003 until 2012. He became the Aerie's youngest President in 1962, and was selected local, District and State Eagle of the Year in 1969. During 1990 - 1991 he served as Minnesota State Aerie President and MN State Treasurer from 1992 - until 2013. From 1994 thru 1995 he served as North Central Regional President. Ron was a popular Eagles event speaker. He became a member of the MN Hall of Fame in 1995, and the National Hall of Fame in 2007 and 2012. Ron was a very proud member of the Eagles. He was a Home On The Range for Boys & Girls in Sentinel Butte, ND board member. Ron became an active member of Sertoma in 1983 and served 3 terms as President. He was given the "Sertoman of the Year" award in 1990. Ron was elected to the 5th Ward City Council from 1977 - 1985 to the 4th Ward from 1995 - 2002. His hobbies included reading the newspapers and keeping up with current affairs. He is survived by his wife Virginia, daughters: Cindy of Eden Prairie and Connie (Randy) of Buffalo Center, IA. Sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Lavon Sorenson, Marlys Sorenson, Bill King, Larry (Jane) King, Pat (Norman) Bangert, Linda King and nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by parents Ernie and Stella Sorenson, parents-in-law Frank and Deloris King, sister Marilyn and her husband Elvin Reim, brothers Bud and his wife Shirley Sorenson, Duane Sorenson, and Harlowe Sorenson; sisters-in-law Rosemary King and Beverly King. Ron knew he had Alzheimer's and before the fall that changed their lives he & Virginia enjoyed simple times together like their morning Kwik Trip coffee (and maybe a donut). After the second fall all they could do was enjoy special moments at St. John's. No matter whether it was at work, City Council, service clubs or having coffee, Ron very much enjoyed his friends and co-workers. He always said it was "more important to have respect than be popular." He was loved.