Thelma Sorensen

Thelma Sorensen’s Obituary

Thelma Irene Sorensen went to be with her Lord on February 24, 2018 at the age of 98.  She was born in Wolf Point, Montana on September 3, 1919 to Axel and Dagney Holoien, the third of eight children.  She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at a cottage prayer meeting at the age of 14, claiming Isaiah 53:5-6 as her verses.

After attending high school in Wolf Point, Thelma graduated from Lutheran Brethren Bible School in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  She then moved to Staten Island, New York where she attended Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church and met Henry Sorensen. While Henry was serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, Thelma was employed in Manhattan by Home Insurance Company and the M.W. Kellogg Engineering Company.

Following the war, Thelma and Henry were united in marriage on June 29, 1946 on Staten Island where they resided for 37 years.  After raising their three sons, Thelma worked at JC Penney Company for 16 years.  In 1983, the couple retired to Cape Coral, Florida and moved to Boca Raton in 1986.  Henry passed away in 1997 and Thelma continued to live there, enjoying fellowship with many dear friends.

Music was a big part of Thelma’s early life as the Holoien family learned to sing harmony while their father played the guitar.  As a teenager, she joined her sisters, Agnes and Doris, in a trio. They sang and played their guitars on the local radio station in Montana.  Living on Staten Island, she sang in the church choir and ladies’ trio as well as played her guitar in the string band. Later, Thelma sang in the Boca Raton Community Church choir for 18 years and volunteered in the church music department.  She also volunteered and enjoyed delivering meals for Boca Helping Hands.    

She is survived by sons, Dave (Ruth) of Glen Rock, NJ and Don (Rosalie) of Peachtree City, GA; eight grandchildren, April Oldham, Michelle Thompson, Kristy Roland, Moises Sorensen, David Sorensen, Tyler Sorensen, Jenna Sorensen and Julia Sorensen; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Virginia Holine, brother-in-law, Ken McNutt and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Henry, in July 1997; her son, Doug, in July 1998; her parents; four sisters, Myrtle Moar, Agnes Raun, Doris Brustad and Eileen McNutt; and three brothers, Marty, Leif and Ken.

Thelma’s favorite Bible verses were Isaiah 40:31 and I Thessalonians 4:13-18.  Blessed be the memory of Thelma Sorensen.

Memorials may be given to Lutheran Brethren Schools, Fergus Falls, MN or Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church, Staten Island, NY

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