Roger “Pete” Sorensen, age 65 of Odebolt, IA, passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, IA. Roger Dean Sorensen was born on March 5, 1957, in Providence, RI, to parents LeRoy and Margaret (Scheelhaase) Sorensen. When he was about three years of age, he and his family moved back to Iowa. He was both baptized and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Odebolt. Pete attended Odebolt-Arthur Community School and graduated from there with the class of 1976.
On November 27, 1982, Pete married the love of his life, Mary Launderville, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Vail, IA. This union was blessed with two children, Melissa and Mitchell. Together they raised their children in Odebolt, as he worked in the farm equipment service field, and Mary for the school district. Out of high school, Pete worked at Jerry’s Standard Service before going to work for Krustjerna Implement in Odebolt. For the past forty-plus years, Pete worked for Vetter Equipment in Ida Grove as a combine technician. He loved his job but he loved his customers even more. Many great friendships were made over the years as he was called to service many-a-farmer’s machinery.
Pete was a people-person. He loved to entertain and good food was ALWAYS involved! He wasn’t just a great griller/meat smoker, he could cook and bake as well. Pete loved making sweet snacks for all to enjoy and was known for his perfect rice krispie bars. Popcorn was always popped fresh and ready to eat at his house, or on the go. He would often fill coolers or big bags with it and take to work to share with everyone there.
Pete was a member of the Odebolt Volunteer Fire Department for many years and always had a huge love for his community and the people in it. Odebolt Creek Days was always a good time at the Sorensen house. Pete had all kinds of food ready to go for everyone that gathered at their house that weekend every year. He also enjoyed bowling on men’s league for several years.
Pete enjoyed spending time on the water with a pole in his hand and most of the time, Mary was right alongside. When their kids were younger they took several fishing trips to Minnesota and most recently, the two of them enjoyed spending time at a cabin in Twin Lakes, IA, that they visited regularly. He also loved his classic rock and if you ever went to see him at the shop 99.5 was usually on, loud and clear. Shellabration in Fort Dodge was an event he looked forward to every year and actually never missed other than the one year it was scheduled at the same time as Creek Days.
As mentioned above, Pete just absolutely loved being around people. He ‘never met a stranger’ which over the years led to having many friends from all over. He enjoyed playing cards and had a game room all set up at the house complete with a hot dog machine, large popcorn popper, pool table, dart board, etc. for when he hosted everyone. To say weekly gatherings there with Pete present will be missed, would be an understatement.
Pete loved his family dearly, and cherished every moment spent with them. His laugh, his huge heart, and even his ‘occasional’ F-bomb, will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Sorensen of Odebolt; son Mitch Sorensen of Odebolt; mother Margaret Sorensen Hubiak of Odebolt; sister Debbie (Steve) Loger of Odebolt; sisters-in-law Ruth (Gary) Wulf and Marj Henrich both of Odebolt, and Ann (Marc) Knudsen of Ida Grove; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his father, LeRoy Sorensen; daughter Melissa Sorensen; parents-in-law James and Ruby Launderville; brothers/sisters-in-law Jack Henrich, Clarence, Connie, Kenny, George, and Elizabeth Launderville; and niece Mandy Loger.
