Marcella Sorensen

On October 11, 2007 God welcomed Marcella Eleanor Nelson Sorensen to His home. Funeral services for Marcella, age 91, of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Litchfield, MN and St. James, MN will be at 11 AM, on Saturday, October 20 at Augustana Lutheran Church in St. James with Rev. Greg Hall officiating. Her burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. James. Her visitation will be on Friday, October 19, at the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James. It will be from 4pm until 8pm and will continue at Augustana Lutheran Church from 10am to 11am on Saturday. You may send the family condolences online at www.sturmfh.com. Marcella was born August 5, 1916 in St. James, MN to parents Nels Peter Nelson and Ellen Josephine (Olson) Nelson. She grew up in the St. James area where she attended school. She graduated from Mankato State College with a degree in Elementary Education. Prior to her marriage, she taught 5th grade at East Chain and Blue Earth schools. On June 13, 1942 Marcella was united in marriage to Arnold Kenneth Sorensen, of St. James, MN, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia, WA. Following their wedding, she taught school in Kennewick, WA, while 'Arnie' served in the military during WWII. After the war, Arnie and Marcella moved to Jeffers, MN for one year. They then moved to South Branch in 1947 and farmed until 1981, when they retired to St. James, MN. During this time, Marcella also taught school at Truman Elementary for 20 years and she retired from teaching in 1978. The couple also enjoyed their lake home near Longville, MN, traveling, ballroom and square dancing, and their beloved card club. Marcella was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church in St. James. She was also a member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Longville, MN, and the First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Following Arnie's death, Marcella moved to Litchfield in 1992 to be closer to her sister, Lorene King. For 9 years she lived at the Gloria Dei Senior Apartments and was active in church circles, bible study, bridge clubs and birthday club. She was also a life long member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She loved her heritage, and even took Swedish language classes when she was 85. She was a wonderful cook, enjoyed entertaining family and friends, and doing beautiful knitting handwork. In the summer of 2007, she moved to Primrose Retirement Community in Sioux Falls, SD to be closer to her family. Marcella was preceded in death by her husband, Arnie, her parents Nels and Ellen, her grandson Davin Sorensen, her sister Lorene King, and her nephew James Howe. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Kenneth and Laura Jane Sorensen of Sioux Falls, SD; Charles Sorensen of Stacy, MN; Kathy and Bruce Glewwe of Minneapolis, MN; Grandchildren: Kari (Jared) Gusso of Sioux Falls,SD; Katie (Rick) Eichhorst of Mankato,MN; Kelly (Lee) Barrett of Hoboken, NJ; Lisa (Paul) Buenger of Eau Claire, WI; Andrea (Matt) Pollema of Wauwatosa, WI; Taylor (John) Hastings of Stacy, MN; Alayna (Ben) Otto of Farmington, MN; Ellen Glewwe of Hoboken, NJ; and Annie Glewwe of Burlington, VT. Great-grandchildren: Lauren Gusso, Megan Gusso, Nicole Gusso, Jeremiah Buenger, Nicholas Buenger, Luke Pollema. Nephews and nieces: Richard King of New Ulm, MN; Bob Sorensen of St. James,MN; Roger Sorensen of Murrels Inlet, SC; Jan Hart of Mount Pleasant, SC; and Judy White of Minneapolis, MN.