Elmer F. Sorenson

Elmer F. Sorenson, 88, a longtime Hamilton resident, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 1, 2017.

He was born August 20, 1928, in Billings.  Elmer grew up in Dillon, and graduated from Beaverhead County High School.  He spent several summers haying in the Big Hole, served two years as a sailor in the Navy, and was a self-taught draftsman. His career at Montana Power Company began in Butte, then took him to Missoula, and finally to Hamilton. He retired from MPC after many years of loyal service, honored as “the only engineer in Hamilton.”  Elmer’s faith was an important part of his life.  Wherever he was, he and his family always had a church home.  He served for a time as an interim lay minister at the Church in the Valley in Butte, and was an active member of the United Methodist American Baptist Church in Hamilton for many years, serving as a deacon, and a jack-of-all-trades volunteer for everything from flipping pancakes at a church breakfast to helping make building repairs.  Elmer was an avid pinochle player, and loved bowling, fishing, tying flies, jigsaw puzzles, and especially family game nights.

Elmer was the devoted husband of Thelma O. Sorenson for 65 years, and the father of nine children: Edith Neil, Doris Marjerison (Jack), Ralph Sorenson (Esther), Teresa Cohen (Bob), Linda Phillips, Sherry Lindsey (Bud), Larry Sorenson (Lori), Mark Sorenson (Jen), and Kristy McRae (Scott).  He was grandfather to 22 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Soren and Lena Sorenson; wife, Thelma Sorenson; daughter, Doris Marjerison; brother, Albert Sorenson; grandson, Percy Phillips; and sons-in-law, Frank Neil and Eric Simonson. He is survived by his brothers: Lester Sorenson, Otto Sorenson, David Sorenson, and Alan Sorenson (Fay), and his sisters: Marianne Kinzel, Luana Neisess (Chuck), and Betty Franck (Ken), as well as his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 1 p.m., at the United Methodist American Baptist Church, 211 N. Sixth St., in Hamilton.  Interment will follow at a later date, yet to be determined, at the family plot in Dillon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Methodist American Baptist Church of Hamilton.  Condolences may be left for the family at dalyleachchapel.com.