Helen Sorensen Obituary

Helen June Sorensen was born December 22, 1922 in Parker, South Dakota to Clinton G. and Cora Ellen (Bartels) Franklin. She grew up in the Parker area and graduated from Parker High School. As a young lady she moved to the Philip, South Dakota area then later moved to Denver, Colorado where she lived for some time before moving to California.

Helen was united in marriage to Morris Barton Sorensen on January 2, 1943 in Newcastle, Wyoming. They made their home on the Sorensen homestead located on North Fork Creek which was northwest of Philip. They owned and operated the ranch until retiring in 1984.

In 1961 Helen began working for the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service in Philip and retired in 1984 as an office manager after 23 years of service. After retiring in 1984, Morris and Helen moved to Rapid City where they resided for two years because of Morris’s health. In 1986 they returned to Philip.

Helen was a founding member of the Community Evangelical Free Church of Philip.

Survivors include three daughters: Marlene Urban of Modesto, California, Linda (Kenneth) McIlravy of Philip, and Lee Ann Knutson (Rod) of Philip; 9 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Morris on August 29, 2000; her brother Ben Franklin; her son-in-law Bruce Urban; and her parents.

A memorial has been established. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 222 Philip, South Dakota 57567.

A visitation will be held from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 13, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, at the Community Evangelical Free Church in Philip with Pastor Chris Stewart and Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Private family interment will be held at the Masonic Cemetery.

Service Details

VISITATION
Friday, September 13, 2019 - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE
Saturday, September 14, 2019 - 1:30 p.m.
Community Evangelical Free Church
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Chris Stewart
Pastor Kathy Chesney

MUSIC
Marilyn Millage - Prelude Pianist
Praise Group - Special Music
"Great Are You Lord"
"I Can Only Imagine"
"It Is Well With My Soul"
Mel Crowser - Pianist
Congregational Hymn
“I’ll Fly Away”

USHERS
Victor Franklin - Curt Arthur

READER
Brent Urban

PALLBEARERS
Arthur McIlravy - Clayton McIlravy - Lincoln McIlravy
Brent Urban - Bill Wilson - Bradley McArthur - John Frankman
Bob Vosler - Doug Hennies - Tate Johnson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Masonic, South Dakota

Guest Book

We are sorry to learn of Helen's passing. May God be your comfort..
~ Bill & Connie Parsons Milesville, SD (9/13/2019)

What a wonderful lady. So fun to visit with and a great sense of humor. May she rest peacefully in Heaven now until you see her again. Prayers to the family.
~ Julie McLaughlin Midland (9/16/2019)

It wa as a privilege to care for this wonderful lady. May God bless and keep you! Family memories will be precious today and always.
~ Carmen Fees (9/12/2019)

Helen was such a gem and I absolutely loved the time I had with her! She is dearly missed. Hugs to the family
~ Stefanie Iwan Philip, SoDak (9/13/2019)

Thinking of you folks during this time of loss. Joann met Helen many years ago when she would stay with her aunt Berniece Jensen, they were neighbors in the country. Hold on to all the memories.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (9/13/2019)

She was a special lady. Thinking of all of you. We are working cattle on Saturday so I will not be there to give you hugs.
~ Linda Stilwell Kadoka (9/13/2019)

Sending Prayers to Helen's family. She gave me the folloeing advice when USDA reorganized and I was transferred. She told me to remember that no one can take away my experience. She was a smart lady and I'm sure she shared her wisdom with many others.
~ Connie (Martinson) Gerard Edgemont, SD (9/12/2019)

Sorry to learn of Helen's passing. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
~ David and Karen Webb Rapid City, SD (9/13/2019)

A wonderful lady, she was so easy to visit with talking about the time long gone. Times Lucille and her worked together. Times of playing music. Many good memory of friends getting together.
~ Ruthann Chuck Carstensen Philip S.D. (9/12/2019)

What a wonderful lady. So fun to visit with and a great sense of humor. May she rest peacefully in Heaven now until you see her again. Prayers to the family.
~ Julie McLaughlin Midland (9/16/2019)

So sorry for your Loss. Our Prayers and thoughts.
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, S.D. (9/12/2019)

So sorry for your loss. May God wrap His arms around each of you. God Bless.
~ Vicki Neiderworder Philip, SD (9/12/2019)

I am so sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed Helen and all the special visits we had. Her strong faith helped me through a lot of rotten days and kept me smiling
~ Beth Hanson Brookings, SD (9/11/2019)

Our thoughts and prayers to all the family.
~ Buster & Nancy Peterson Kadoka (9/13/2019)

Our thoughts and loving prayers will be with all of you. So sorry.
~ Mike and Shar Moses Philip, S.D. (9/12/2019)

Helen Sorensen

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2019
at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 96

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

Helen Sorensen

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 96

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2019
at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 96