Richard V. Sorensen

Richard was born on February 14, 1932 in Stanley, WI to the late Hans and Victoria (Zimba) Sorensen. He was raised on a dairy farm and attended elementary school at Brownville and high school in Stanley.

Richard married Carol Jean E. Janisewski on March 21, 1953, who was a neighbor while he was growing up and became his high school sweetheart.

Richard served in the Wisconsin National Guard starting in May of 1951 until he went into the U.S. Army in 1953. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as Sergeant in 1955.

Richard worked in construction as a carpenter and cement mason with his son, Kenneth. He went into retirement but also went into business building many Family Dollar Stores with his son, Kerry. He also owned and operated many other businesses in the Little Lake, Gwinn and K.I. Sawyer area.

Richard was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 349 and was also a member of their honor guard. In his free time, he and his wife, Carol, enjoyed dancing on Sunday afternoons, playing cards and puttering in his workshop.

Richard is survived by his wife of 70 years, Carol Sorensen; daughter, Cynthia (Mark) Phillips; sons, Kenneth (Pamela) and Kerry (Deborah); 3 sisters-in-law, Violet Sorensen, Leona Janisewski and Darla Sorensen; also surviving are 8 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and son-in-law, Thomas Kennedy, Sr.

The Sorensen family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, August 10th at Canale Gwinn Funeral Home and Cremation Services from 3 to 6 p.m. where a prayer service will be conducted in the funeral home by Ron Westman. Visitation will also take place at St. Anthony Catholic Church on Friday, August 11th from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in the church at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Sebastian Oppong officiating.

Burial will take place in the Gwinn Cemetery immediately following the Mass with full military honors. A luncheon will be served at Little Lake American Legion Post #349 following the graveside services.

Canale Gwinn Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Sorensen family where memories of Richard may be shared at canalefuneral.com.