Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Fairmont.

Russell passed away Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Rochester, Minn. Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Russell Jay Sorensen was born Oct. 19, 1956, in Milaca, Minn., to Albert Sorensen and Gail (Churchill) Sorensen. He attended country school in Milaca until the family moved to Lakefield, Minn. After completing his sophomore year, his adventuresome family moved to Homer, Alaska. He graduated from Homer High School in May, 1974. He excelled at wrestling in his high school years and made several of noteworthy pottery pieces. He received training in diesel mechanics, which enhanced his ability to work on his own vehicles. He was a deck hand on several vessels in and around Homer where he was a steady, strong man on board harvesting shrimp, crab and herring.

He married the love of his life, June Bezdicek, on March 19, 1983, in Lakefield, Minn. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The couple moved to Fairmont, Minn. where Russ began his carpentry career and later started his own business, Sorensen Home Improvements. He used his skillful hands to install siding and windows, and complete other home improvement jobs. He never had a dissatisfied customer because of his meticulous attention to detail. Russ and June were blessed with four beautiful children which they raised on an acreage in rural Fairmont. They enjoyed very much the school sports and activities they were involved in. In Russ’s words he continued to “homeschool” them by teaching them practical skills like working on their cars, using carpentry skills and how to play poker. Russ, a true nature lover, was an avid, skilled, respectful hunter of ducks, geese and deer and provided meat for the family every year. He was a member of the NRA. Russ attended RCIA and celebrated a profession of faith on April 18, 1992, and has been a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church since then. Russ will be remembered for providing for and loving his family, his thoughtful nature, calm demeanor and his ability to take time to listen and be a true friend.

Survivors include: his wife, June of Fairmont; children, Kristel (Nathan) Stewart of Cosmos, Minn., Justin (Winta, girlfriend from Sweden) of New Brighton, Minn., Maria of Buffalo, Minn. and Sarah of Rochester, Minn.; brothers, Albert (aka Chip) Sorensen III of Homer, Alaska and Kent (Jenny) Sorensen of Homer, Alaska; brothers and sisters-in-law, David (Trish) of Pullman Wash., Sharon Madsen (Mike Reed) of Humboldt, Iowa, Jim Bezdicek (Diane) of Jackson, Minn., Matt (Pennie) Bezdicek of Windom, Minn. and Eileen (Brad) Hady of Fairmont, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, and friends including lifelong friend, Ken Hunt of Jackson. Russ was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Gail Sorensen; in-laws, Emanuel and Betty Bezdicek, Greg Bezdicek, John Bezdicek and Carole Bezdicek. Blessed be the memory of Russell Jay Sorensen.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]