Sonja G. Sorensen

Sonja Gwendolyn Sorensen of Freeborn, Minnesota, peacefully passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at her home. She was 77 years old.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Kristi Mitchell will be officiating. Burial will be held at Freeborn Cemetery in Freeborn, MN.

Sonja was born on July 28, 1949, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Bert and Lillian (Feist) Olson. She was the third youngest of thirteen children. Sonja grew up in Wells and graduated from Wells High School. One evening at the Golden Bubble ballroom, she met Steven Sorensen. They quickly formed a connection, and the following day Steven returned to his Army base. On June 21, 1967, they were married at Old Methodist Church in Wells. Sonja joined Steven in Colorado Springs, where she lived until his honorable discharge. Together, they made their home near Freeborn and raised six children on a dairy farm that has since become a four-generation family farm. Sonja was known for making popcorn for her children as an afternoon snack. While she did not consider herself the best cook, she enjoyed preparing cool whip salads. Her family was always important to her, and she cherished time spent with her grandchildren, especially after moving into town. Sonja enjoyed watching and feeding the squirrels and birds outside her home. She liked playing solitaire and King’s Corner, doing word searches, and coloring with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed watching classic television shows such as the Lawrence Welk Show, Bandwagon and was a devoted fan of Duck Dynasty, often receiving gifts related to the show from her family. Sonja valued visits with her sister.

Sonja is survived by her husband of 59 years Steven Sorensen; children: Dale (Mary) Sorensen, Amy (Todd) Drescher, Kay Sorensen (Paul Bernier), and Ray (Serena) Sorensen; grandchildren: Sarah (Paul) Mattson, Jonathan Sorensen, Ethan Drescher and his fiancé Ashley Willett, Rachel Drescher, Nicole Sorensen, Katie (Brad) Walsh, Tiffany Sorensen, Aidan Falcon, Mateo Falcon, Elias Falcon, Hayden Sorensen, Connor Sorensen, Olivia Sorensen; siblings: Marie Squires, RuthAnn Schnieder, Janet Hamson, Donald Olson, and Dean Olson; and by many nieces, nephews, other loved ones, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and daughter Tammy Sorensen, son Leroy Sorensen, siblings: Adeline Baker, Marlene Wedin, Howard Olson, David Olson, Cindy Olson, Elnora Ziegler, and Irene Tandeski.

Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN, has been honored with assisting the family.