Mardelle L. Sorensen

Mardelle Sorensen, 87, of Bridgewater, passed away Wednesday, May 17, at her home in Bridgewater. Celebration of Life Services were held 11 a.m. Monday, May 22, at The United Methodist Church in Fontanelle with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery. The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the Mardelle Sorensen Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Mardelle Lois Sorensen was born May 14, 1936, the daughter of Elmer and Geraldine (Anderson) Kriens northwest of Fontanelle. Mardelle’s father died when she was four years old. The family moved to Fontanelle and she attended Fontanelle schools. She was homecoming queen and graduated in 1954. She worked as a telephone operator for United Telephone Company in Greenfield and as a key punch operator at Farm Bureau in Des Moines.

She married Oliver Sorensen Feb. 18, 1956, at the Congregational Church in Fontanelle. They came to the farm in 1960 and worked side by side for nearly forty years and they retired and moved into Bridgewater.

She was baptized in the Congregational Church, held office in Sunday School and Mayflower Guild, was a Sunday School teacher and on the church board. She enjoyed their cruises to Alaska and Hawaii. She lived by these words, “Love, Faith, Trust and Forgiveness.”

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Marlene (Warren) Sunds.

She is survived by her husband, Oliver Sorensen of Bridgewater; daughter, Janell (Rick) Stender of Bridgewater; son, Robert Sorensen and friend Joyce Lovely of Fontanelle; three grandchildren: Jacob (Rachel) Stender, Brett (Katie) Stender and Michael Stender (Hollie Perrin); four great-grandchildren: Alexis, Jackson, Oliver and Clara; other relatives and friends.