Ellen P. (Sill) Sorenson

Ellen Sorenson, 85, of Woden, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2009 in Sun City West, Arizona.

Funeral services for Ellen Sorenson will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating. Burial will be at the Crystal Lake Cemetery in Crystal Lake. 

Visitation for Ellen Sorenson will be held on Friday, February 27, 2009 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Ellen P. Sorenson, daughter of Paul and Ella (Johnson) Sill, was born on November 8, 1923, on a farm north of Thompson, Iowa. She attended country school near her home and graduated from Thompson High School. Ellen attended the Britt Junior College where she received a teacher’s certificate. She began her teaching career in the area country school.

On December 9, 1944, she was united in marriage with Maynard Sorenson at the Methodist Church in Thompson, Iowa. They farmed southwest of Crystal Lake and later moved to a farm northwest of Crystal Lake. Ellen resumed teaching at Woden-Crystal Lake Elementary School; later receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree from Mankato State College in 1972. In 1977 they moved to their home in Woden. Ellen retired from teaching in 1979.

She enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, crafts and painting. Spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren created many happy memories.

Ellen was an active member of the Crystal Lake United Methodist Church serving as Sunday School Superintendent, a faithful servant on several committees, and participating in women’s circles and Ladies’ Aid.

Ellen is survived by her four daughters; Vicki (Ed) Hillenga of Wesley, Iowa; Pat (Dan) Stewart of Viroqua, Wisconsin; Nancy Sorenson of Hinckley, Minnesota; Donna (Paul) Kurtzleben of Orange City, Iowa; twelve grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brother, Floyd Sill of Wabasha, Minnesota; sister, Winifred (Mike) Larson of Panama City, Panama; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Sill of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Arlene Sorenson of Rochester, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Maynard; brother, Orville Sill; sisters-in-law, Lois Otis and Mary Sill; brother-in-law, Wilbur Sorenson.