Helen R. Sorenson, 85, of Eau Claire, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, surrounded by her family. Helen was born on July 15, 1926, in Bear Lake, WI, a daughter of John and Mary (Hollingsworth) Powell. Her family later moved to Minong, WI, where she spent her growing up years. Helen moved to Eau Claire where she met Donald C. Sorenson. They married in Maryland while Donald was stationed in the Army. They moved back to Eau Claire to raise their six children. Helen worked for Presto Industries, A & P Grocery Store, YMCA, and the Leader-Telegram. She was also involved in the Senior Aide Program in Eau Claire. Helen immensely enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She took great pride in all of them. She loved reading, game shows, playing bingo, especially at the American Legion in Eau Claire, where she was a life-long member. She also loved to go to the casinos, feed and watch her birds and squirrels, visit relatives, go out to eat, and spoiling her Shitzu dog, Lil' Snoopy, who brought her much joy. Helen was a member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Helen is survived by her six children, Bunny (Allen) Gessner of Eau Claire, Donald (Lee) Sorenson of Altoona, Connie Brown (David Whitman) of Eau Claire, Sally Patrow (Dennis Shufelt) of Tilden, Penny (John) Anderson of Chippewa Falls, and Mary (James) Farr of Altoona; thirteen grandchildren, Lori (James) Mai, Christine (Larry) Joyce, Angela Sorenson, Alicia Sorenson, Andrea Sorenson, Tyler Brown, Lukus Brown, Jessica (Joshua) Fenner, Jacob Anderson (Alexis Falch), Tiffany Anderson, Shawna Farr, Kayla Goettl-Farr and Stephanie Farr; eight great-grandchildren, Nicole Mai (Russell Luniak), Erica Mai, Amanda Gessner, Connor Sorenson, Riley Sorenson, Kylie Patrow, Steven Fenner, and Malikiah Rodriguez; one great-great grandchild, Kegan Luniak; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald in 1985; parents, John and Mary Powell; father and mother-in-law, Jasper and Nora Sorenson; two infant daughters; two sisters, Leota Tyson and Lorraine Heller; and four brothers, Phillip, Harold, Robert, and Victor Powell. Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2011, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home WEST CHAPEL, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave. in Eau Claire, with Rev. Gerd J. Bents officiating. Inurnment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home WEST CHAPEL.

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