Rodney August Sorenson, 74, of Eau Claire, died Monday, February 23, 2009, at Luther Hospitalin Eau Claire.\r\nRod was born in Eau Claire on August 9, 1934, the son of Lloyd and Dolores (Bleske) Sorenson. He graduated from Eau Claire Senior High in 1953. He went on to Madison to attend a short course in Agriculture. \r\nRodney married Carmen R. Howard on August 24, 1957, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Eau Claire. \r\nRod served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne from 1956 to 1958. He was deployed during the federally ordered integration of the public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. Rod was honorably discharged from active duty in 1959.\r\nHe worked as a Firefighter on the Eau Claire Fire Department from 1959 until his retirement as Deputy Chief of Operations in 1989. Rod was involved with starting the Associates Degree in Fire Science at Chippewa Valley Technical College, and he was a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program. He was very instrumental in getting the Eau Claire Ambulance Service started as well as helping obtain the first HAZMAT vehicle for the fire department. He served as President of Firefighters Local #487 for two years. \r\nFollowing his retirement, Rod managed Calvary Cemetery in Eau Claire for several years.\r\nRod is survived by his wife, Carmen; sons, Jon (Anne) Sorenson of Boise, Idaho, Jeff (Kim) Sorenson of Eau Claire, Jim (Heather) Sorenson of Eau Claire; daughters, Julie (fiancée Harpreet) Fedie of Eau Claire, Jackie (Mike) Vold of Eau Claire, and Jennie (Gary) Wise of Eau Claire; twenty-three grandchildren; and one-great-grandchild; his mother, Dolores Sorenson of Eau Claire; two brothers, Bernard "Bub" of Florida, Lloyd "Smokie" of Iowa; four sisters, Carol Horstman of Arkansas, Laura "Tootie" Sorenson of Eau Claire, Mary Worthen of Arizona, and Jennie Sorenson of Eau Claire; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. \r\nHe was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd; infant daughter, Julie; and granddaughter, Shiloh.\r\nMass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2009, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire with Father John A. Schultz celebrating the Mass. Entombment will be in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum in Eau Claire, where American Legion Post #53 will conduct Military Rites. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the time of Mass, Friday, at church. There will be a public vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.\r\nMemorials are preferred to the St. James the Greater "All Are Welcome Fund," 2502 11th St., Eau Claire, WI 54703, or the St. Francis Food Pantry, 1221 Truax Blvd., Eau Claire, WI 54703.

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