James Bernard Sorenson

James Sorenson age 82, of Madelia, Minnesota died on July 13, 2022, at Lakewood Health Systems in Staples, Minnesota.Visitation will be on Sunday, July 17, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel and will continue on Monday from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church-Madelia.Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church-Madelia, on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 10:00 am. The clergy will be Rev. Penny Johnson. Interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery, in Madelia, Minnesota.Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia, Minnesota. James Bernard Sorenson was born in Madelia, Minnesota, to Joseph and Catherine (Johnson) Sorenson on June 5, 1940. In his youth, he enjoyed softball and camping. He began farming with his father and brother, and that was his lifetime career - one that he loved and took very seriously. He graduated from Madelia High School in 1958 and enlisted in the Army National Guard shortly after. In 1962 he married the love of his life, Barbara Carol Stevensen. They spent 59 blessed years together, raising five beautiful children - Caryn, Steven, Paul, Jennifer, and Debra - on the family farm in Madelia. James and Barbara wintered in Mesa, Arizona, for 20 years, but they always returned home to Madelia. James was chair of the Madelia School Board for many years and had the honor of handing each of his children their diplomas as they walked the stage. Family, faith, and farming meant the world to James, and that is what his wife and children will remember most about him. He enjoyed golf, a good joke, and could socialize with anyone, anywhere. He loved attending church and listening to hymns. James will be greatly missed by his wife, Barbara; his children, Caryn (Brian) Anderson of Madelia, Steven (Monica) Sorenson of Madelia, Paul Sorenson of Minneapolis, Jennifer (John) Eager of Lewisville, Debra (Eric) Hanson of Lake City; grandchildren, Megan Anderson, Noah Anderson, Dustin (Sarah) VanHale, Michael Sorenson, Andrea Sorenson, Katelyn Sorenson, Connor Sorenson, Dalton Eager, Brandon Eager, Ryan Hanson, Allison Hanson; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Madison VanHale; sister, Lorraine (Dick) Sill of Madelia; brother, Bob (Jane) Sorenson of Hanska; brother in law, Howard (Carol) Johnson of Albert Lea. James was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Catherine (Johnson) Sorenson, and his sister JoAnn Johnson. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Sunday, July 17, 2022 Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel 303 East Main St Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Visitation 2 9:00 am - 10:00 am Monday, July 18, 2022 First Presbyterian Church-Madelia 114 E. Main St. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Service Information 10:00 am Monday, July 18, 2022 First Presbyterian Church-Madelia 114 E. Main St. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Interment Information Riverside Cemetery, Madelia East, Co. Hwy 3, Flanders Ave. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062