Kenneth M. Sorensen

Kenneth M. Sorensen, 99, of Burlington, peacefully passed away at 9:54 PM Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at the Klein Center in West Burlington surrounded by his family.

 

Born August 15, 1922, in Racine, WI, he was the son of Peter and Katherine J. Sondergaard Sorensen. On June 1, 1946, he married Anne Agnes Gadau in Burlington, IA. They were happily married for 70 years prior to her passing on July 1, 2016.

 

Kenny was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving proudly in the infantry during World War II. He arrived in Europe shortly after D-Day and served in France and Germany where he received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his bravery.

 

Kenny was a tool & die design engineer. He started with JI Case then worked for Sheaffer Pen before going back to JI Case. Kenny retired from JI Case in 1984 after a 30 year career.

 

He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish-SS John and Paul Catholic Church. He was also a member of Burlington Golf Club for 24 years, McDonald's Coffee Club, American Legion, and a 10 year member of the YMCA. He started the first little league baseball program in Burlington where he really enjoyed coaching the first All Star team as well as the American Legion team. Kenny also enjoyed being a referee for high school basketball boys and girls, carpentry and remodeling, gardening, music, dancing with Anne, mowing and being outdoors. He worked out at the YMCA clear up to the age of 97. He loved traveling with his wife during his retirement.  Most of all he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.

 

Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl (Jim) Cushman of Omaha, NE, Kathy (Dave) Ford of Burlington; two sons, Steve (Patti) Sorensen of Bettendorf and Dave Sorensen of Burlington; seven grandchildren; Allison, Sarah, Jessica, Ryan, Erik, Keri, and Dawsen; ten great-grandchildren, Jayah, Jamison, Kate, Olivia, Keagan, Bronson, Kellan, Harrison, Adalyn, and Hoyt; one brother, Don (Jean "Nettie") Sorensen of Lake Odessa, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

 

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; one son in infancy, Kenneth Jr.; one daughter in infancy, Amy; and two brothers, Lyle and Earl Sorensen.

 

Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM Sunday, October 24, 2021, at  Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.

 

The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Kenny will be 10:00 AM Monday, October 25, 2021, at Divine Mercy Parish-St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Rev. James Flattery as the Celebrant. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at St. John's Cafeteria following burial.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice and Divine Mercy Parish.

 

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Klein Center and Hospice for the excellent care they provided.