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1922 Lillian 2010

Lillian Sorensen

May 11, 1922 — October 1, 2010

Lillian Harstad Sorensen, 88, of Fargo, ND, passed away on Friday, October 1, 2010 at Bethany Homes on 42nd Street in Fargo while being comforted by family, friends and staff from Bethany on 42nd and Hospice of the Red River Valley. Lillian was born on the family farm near Wolseth, ND on May 11, 1922 to John and Oline (Wolseth) Harstad. Lillian was baptized and confirmed at Nidarose Church and attended grade school and high school in Wolseth, ND. Following attendance at Interstate Business College, Fargo, Lillian became the bookkeeper for Dr. Oliver at the Graceville, MN, Clinic. While working in Graceville, Lillian met Hans William Sorensen, the love of her life. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1942. Lillian helped keep the books for Hans’s trucking company. In 1944 the family moved to a farm near Kensington, MN. The family moved to Bottineau, ND, in 1948, to Bismarck, ND, in 1960, and to Fargo, ND, in 1969. Lillian’s pride and joy was her family which she tended with much loving care and earned the title of “Mother Hen.” Lillian knew no strangers, only friends she hadn’t met. The door to their home was always open, the welcome mat out, and the coffee pot on. She never turned away a person in need and had a great listening ear. Lillian had a deep faith which she lived daily and proclaimed to all. She was a woman of great courage as she battled four different cancers. She never complained and stated faith and laughter were keys to being a survivor. Simply put, she trusted in her Lord. Lillian was very active in her church teaching Sunday School, singing in choirs, participating in Bible studies and women’s groups. Lillian was a member of Olivet Lutheran, Fargo, ND. Lillian was an avid sports fan. She loved the Vikings and Twins, but her favorite teams were those on which her sons and grandchildren participated. She loved playing all games and was a top notch Scrabble player. Lillian is survived by her children; Marilyn Johnson (Dennis), Bismarck, ND; Lois Fryhling, Prairie Rose, ND; William “Bill” Sorensen (Pat), Bismarck, ND; James “Jim” Sorensen (Shirley), Fargo, ND; and Kathleen Johnson (Todd), Hallock, MN; ten grandchildren, LoRi Morrissey (Matt), Rochester, MN; Skip Fryhling (Diane), Bismarck, ND; Medora Benson (Paul), Woodbury, MN; Tana Sorensen, Oshkosh, WI; Jenna Boerger (Jason), Fargo, ND; Tricia Sorensen, Bismarck, ND; Christian Sorensen (Erin Ham - fiancée), Rochester, MN; Matthew Sorensen, Fargo, ND; Nichelle Larson, Grand Forks, ND; Brynn Larson, Duluth, MN; great-grandchildren, Kasey and Cooper Morrissey; Barrett, Bjorn and Brygg Benson; Benjamin and Gavin Fryhling; one brother, Alfred Harstad, Mohall, ND; and two sister-in-laws, Violet Harstad, Mohall, ND; Margaret Sorensen, Minneapolis, and many beloved nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hans; son-in-law, Rick Fryhling; parents, John Andrew Harstad and Oline Wolseth Harstad; two brothers, Arnold Harstad and Johnny Harstad; and six sisters, Luella Herman, Manda Ofstun, Hilma Hughes, Tilda Hjelmstad, Benda Sveen, and Olga Mothershead. Funeral Service: Thursday, October 7, 2010, at 11:00 AM, at Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo. Visitation: Wednesday, October 6, 2010, from 5-7 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Prayer Service: Wednesday, October 6, 2010, at 7:00 PM. Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.
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