H. Elwood Sorenson

Elwood Sorenson

Axtell, Utah

Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, H. Elwood Sorenson, 92, passed away August 2, 2014 in Centerfield after a long, active life of work, love and service. He was the rock and foundation of our family and will be greatly missed.

Elwood was born March 15, 1922 in Axtell, to Truman L. and Rolinda Jensen Sorenson. He was the fifth child of seven children. He graduated from Gunnison High School. He joined the U. S. Army at the age of 18 and served 4½ years in the Pacific Islands during World War II. He was a radio operator and ammunition truck driver. He received several medals and was honorably discharged. After the war he never again wanted to leave home.

He married Nathella Christensen, December 7, 1945 in Redmond. The marriage was solemnized in the Manti Temple on June 4, 1952. They had four children: Marshall (Ruth) Sorenson, Gunnison; Kathleen (Ted) Christensen, Richfield; Denise (Donald) Hill, Gunnison; and Paul (Tyran) Sorenson, Hurricane. Nathella passed away after an extended illness on April 4, 1977. It was a difficult time for our family. Two years later he married Julia Brian Chappell on March 31, 1979 in Manti. We were all very happy for them. She brought four children to the marriage: Dorothy (Carl) James, Centerville; Christine (Milton) Johnson, Hyde Park; Tamra (Vic) Petersen, Payson; and JoLyn Chappell (Noni Dalton), Centerfield. Our families blended well together. Julia has been a wonderful mother and grandmother to all of us.

Elwood loved his farm and worked hard to take care of it. He served valiantly in the LDS Church and in the community. He was a bishop’s counselor, served as bishop of the Axtell Ward twice, and also on the Gunnison Stake High Council. He and Julia were Manti Temple ordinance workers for several years. He was president of the Gunnison Lions Club, member of the American Legion Club, chairman of the Sanpete County ASCS Committee, and president of the Willow Creek Irrigation Company. It was an honor for him to serve as the grand marshal in the Gunnison 4 ^th of July parade. The Gunnison Valley Middle School presented him with The Pillar Award for his service to the community. He loved Axtell and its people. He helped them to keep their little post office, donated the old school bell for the park, and helped upgrade the cemetery. Gunnison Valley was dear to his heart. You could count on him if you wanted to know some history.

His pride and joy was his eight children, 52 grandchildren, 84 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren who often visited with him at his "penthouse" on the farm. He loved our family reunions, birthday parties, pumpkin patch and Christmas parties. The only gifts he ever wanted for his birthday was for us to attend the temple closest to where we lived along with a case of Pepsi and a little chocolate.

Elwood is survived by his wife, Julia; his children and a brother, Leland (Donna Vee) Sorenson, Axtell.

Also preceded in death by his parents; grandchildren: Jared James, Ted Christensen, Jr., and Summer Sorenson Gordon-Smith; brothers: LeNoir (Helen) Sorenson, Carlyle (Louise) Sorenson; sisters: Elaine (Cloyd) Christenson, Morjorie (Howard) Jensen, and Mathel (Que) Mickelsen.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 12 Noon in the Axtell Ward Chapel where friends may call Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Centerfield Cemetery with military rites by the Oliver Russell American Legion Post #105 and Utah Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.