Paul R Sorensen

Paul Ralph Sorensen, age 60 of North Mankato passed away on Friday, February 27, 2009 at his home following a struggle with ALS.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at Messiah Lutheran Church in North Mankato with Rev. Jim Ahlquist officiating. Burial will be at Minneopa Cemetery, rural Mankato. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Monday, March 2, 2009 at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to the ALS Association or Messiah Lutheran Church Music Ministry.

Paul was born on December 30, 1948 in Volga, SD to Ralph and Nina (Pletcher) Sorensen. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1967 and from South Dakota State University in 1971. He then attended the Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, graduating in 1976. Paul began his ministry in Door County, WI and then was an interim pastor for various churches in MN. He married Barbara Hector in North Mankato on August 28, 1993. He also received his Master of Science Degree from Mankato State University in 1996. For the last 11 years, Paul worked for Blue Earth County as a Case Manager.

Paul was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in North Mankato where he was active with Sunday School and the Senior Choir, the Mankato Kiwanis Diversity Club, Greater Mankato Diversity Club and was a 4-H leader. He enjoyed music, singing, fishing and watching his children's activities.

Paul is survived by his wife, Barbara of North Mankato; children, Patrice and Peter both of North Mankato; mother, Nina Sorensen of Battle Lake, MN; five Siblings, Chuck (Bonnie) Sorensen of Moorhead, MN, Vivian (Ken) Uhren of Vining, MN, Laura (Mike) Shelbourn and Neil (Kari) Sorensen both of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jill (Ken) Hostetter of Aberdeen, SD; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father and a niece, Joelle.