Name |
Soren Ole Sorenson |
Nickname |
aka Søren Ole Sørensen |
Born |
30 May 1888 |
Malling sogn, Ning herred, Arhus amt, Denmark [2] |
Christened |
7 Oct 1888 |
Malling sogn, Ning herred, Arhus amt, Denmark |
Gender |
Male |
Military Service |
Before 1911 |
Denmark |
Military Service
Danish Military Photograph
Photograph taken of Soren Ole Sorenson in Denmark in full military dress. According to his US WWI Draft Registration Card, Soren served in the Infantry, 23 Bataillons Company in Denmark for 6 months. Photograph taken in Holsteinsgade, Otter. |
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Danish Military Photograph
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Immigration |
3 Jun 1911 |
New York City, New York, New York, USA [3, 4] |
Immigration
Sorenson Ole Sorenson Ship Manifest
Ship Manifest Maurentania, Arriving New York, 3 Jun 1911, line 7, age 22, laborer, destination of Dillon, Montana |
Age: 21 |
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Soren Ole Sorenson, Maurentia Ship Manifest, 3 Jun 1911
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The Mauretania This is the ship that Søren Ole Sørensen traveled on from Liverpool, England in his migration from Denmark.
Launched in 1906, Mauretania made her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York on 16 November 1907, and set an eastbound record on the return leg of that trip. This was the first of eight consecutive eastbound records Mauretania would set, the last coming in 1924. In all, she held the eastbound record from 1907 until 1929. In addition, she set a westbound record in 1909 that would also stand until 1929.
During World War I Mauretania served as a troopship, a hospital ship and a troopship again before being returned to Cunard in 1919 for service from Southampton, Cunard's new principal terminus. After being damaged in a fire in 1921, Mauretania was converted from coal to oil as part of her refitting. She continued her transatlantic service through the 1920's, but by 1930, was used mainly for cruising. (Like other Cunard cruise ships, she was painted white.)
On 26 September 1934, the day Queen Mary was launched, Mauretania left New York on her final Atlantic crossing. She was scraped in 1935. |
Naturalization |
23 Jun 1917 |
Beaverhead County, Montana, USA |
Name: Soren Ole Sorenson
Declaration Age: 29
Record Type: Declaration
Birth Date: 31 May 1888
Birth Place: Malling, Denmark
Arrival date: 9 Jun 1911
Arrival Place: New York, New York
Declaration Date: 23 Jun 1917
Declaration Place: Beaverhead, Montana, USA
Court: District
Declaration Number: 363 |
Military Service |
3 Oct 1917 |
Dillon, Beaverhead, Montana, USA [5] |
#WWI, World War I Draft Registration |
Address: USA |
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Photo, Soren Ole Sorenson, US Army, World War I US Army Military Dress |
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WWI Draft Registration Card for Soren Ole Sorenson Soren Ole Sorenson |
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Enlistment Record for Soren Ole Sorenson, dated 3 October 1917, Dillon, Montana ENLISTMENT RECORD [COPY]
Name : Sorenson O. Sorenson
Grade: Corporal
Enlisted or Inducted: Oct. 3, 1917, at Dillon, Montana
Serving in First enlisted period at date of discharge.
Prior service: None
Noncommissioned office: Corporal Aug 5, 1919
Marksmanship, gunnery qualifications or rating: Not qualified
Horsemanship: No mounted
Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions:
Aisne-Marne Off. July 18-Aug. 6/18.
St Mihiel Off Sept. 13-16/18
Meuse-Argonne Sector Sept 26-Oct 18/18
Toulon Sector Sept. 6-13/18
Vesle Sector Aug 7-12/18.
Knowledge of any vocation: Farming
Wounds received in service: St Thibant, Aug 1/18, Left Foot
Physical condition when discharged: Good
Typhoid proplylaxis completed: 11/5/17
Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed: 115/17
Married or single: Single
Character: Excellent
Remarks:
Service: Honest and faithful. No A.W.O.L. or absence under C.O. 31 W.B. 1913 and C.O. (not legible) W.B. 1914, Entitled to travel pay to Grant Montana
Signature of soldier: Sorenson O. Sorenson
I hereby certify theat the foregoing is a true, literal, and exact copy of the discharge certificate of
//signed Soren O. Sorenson
Notary of Public or Summary Court Officer
// Grace Hannifin
My commission expires Aug 30, 1923
C.R. Farmer, 1st Lieut. A.G.D.
Commanding Personnel Adjutant |
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Soren Ole Sorenson, World War I US Army Dog Tags
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Military Service |
18 Jul 1918 |
Aisne River near Paris, France |
#WWI, World War I
Aisne-Marne Offensive
July 18 through August 6, 1918 |
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Map of the final German offensives on the Western Front (World War I), 1918. The Third Battle of the Aisne was a German offensive during World War I that focused on capturing the Chemin des Dames Ridge before the American Expeditionary Force could arrive in France. It was one of a series of desperate offensives, known as the Kaiserschlacht, launched by the Germans in the spring and summer of 1918. |
Military Service |
7 Aug 1918 |
#WWI, World War I
Vesle Sector Offensive, 7 - 12 August |
Military Service |
6 Sep 1918 |
Toulon, France |
#WWI, World War I
Toulon Sector Offensive
6 Sep through 13 Sep |
Military Service |
13 Sep 1918 |
Saint-Mihiel, France |
#WWI, World War I
St. Mihiel Offensive
September 13 through the 16th
The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12 - 15, 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Force and a number of French troops under the command of U.S. general John J. Pershing against German positions. The United States Army Air Service (which later became the United States Air Force) played a significant role in this action.
This battle marked the first use of the terms 'D-Day' and 'H-Hour' by the Americans, though it was not the first battle that the Americans were involved in despite popular belief to the contrary.
The attack at the St. Mihiel salient was part of a plan by Pershing in which he hoped that the U.S. would break through the German lines and capture the fortified city of Metz. It was one of the first US solo offensives in WWI and the attack caught the Germans in the process of retreating. Hence their artillery was out of place and the Americans were more successful than they otherwise would have been. It was a strong blow by the U.S. and increased their stature in the eyes of the French and British forces. However, this battle again illustrated the critical role of artillery during WWI and the difficulty of supplying the massive WWI armies while they were on the move. The U.S. attack faltered after outdistancing their artillery and food supplies as muddy roads made support difficult. The attack on Metz was not realized as the Germans refortified their positions and the Americans turned their efforts to the Meuse-Argonne offensive. |
Military Service |
26 Sep 1918 |
Argonne Forest, France |
#WWI, World War I
Meuse-Argonne Sector Offensive
26 Sep through 18 Oct
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the final offensive of World War I. It was the biggest operation and victory of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in that war. The offensive took place in the Verdun Sector, immediately north and northwest of the town of Verdun, between September 26 - November 11, 1918. It was launched as part of Maréchal Ferdinand Foch's Grand Offensive, comprising attacks by the AEF and French Fourth Army on September 26, the British Fourth Army from September 27 and the British and Belgians at Ypres from September 28. These operations led to a general advance along most of the Western Front, resulting in the German Army's final defeat and the signing of an armistice on November 11 to bring hostilities between the Allies and Central Powers to an end. |
Military Service |
5 Aug 1919 |
#WWI, World War I Draft Registration
Noncommissioned Officer: Corporal |
Military Service |
15 Aug 1919 |
Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming, USA |
#WWI, World War I
Discharge from US Army. Soren Ole Sorenson, WWI Discharge Papers, dated 15 Aug 1919, Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming
HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMY
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
This is to Certify, That Soren O. Sorenson, 2260339 Cpl. Co "H" 39th Infantry, THE UNITED STATES ARMY, as a Testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service, is hereby HONORABLY DISCHARGED from the military service of the UNITED STATES by reason of: Circular 252 W.D. 1919.
Said Soren O. Sorenson was born in Malling, in the State of Denmark. When enlisted he was 29 4/12th years of age and by occupation a Laborer. He had Blue eyes, Brown hair, medium complexion, and was 5 feet and 8 1/2 inches in height.
Given under my hand at Fort D.A. Russell, Wyo., this 15 day of August, one thousand nine hundred and nineteen.
//signed H. C. Smith
Major A.G.D., Adjutant Commanding
State of Montana, County of Beaverhead, SS. 108102, Instrument filed in subject office on the 21st day of November A.D. 1963 at 22 minutes past 3 o'clock, p.m. and recorded on page 619-20 of Book 160 of Misc., Records of Beaverhead County, Montana. Attested and sealed by Evelyn J. Sage, County Recorder. |
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Soren Ole Sorenson, WWI Discharge Papers, dated 15 Aug 1919, Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming
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Handwritten Enlistment Record Enlistment Record for Soren Ole Sorenson, Dillon, Montana
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Census |
21 Jan 1920 |
Brennen Township, Beaverhead, Montana, USA [6] |
Census 1920
Montana, Beaverhead, Brennen Township, Enumeration District #3, sheet 3B, 21 Jan 1920, Beaverhead, Montana
Soren O. Sorensen, hired man, single, immigrated from Denmark in 1911, naturalized in 1917, working on ranch owned by Hans C. Pedersen |
Age: 31 |
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1920 US Federal Census, Soren Ole Sorensen
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Naturalization |
26 Jan 1920 |
Grant, Beaverhead, Montana, USA |
Naturalization
Information provided via email from Clerk of the District Court, Dillon, Montana to D. Sorenson on 8 January 2007. |
Family Letters |
7 Dec 1929 |
Kysing, Arhus Amt, Denmark |
Kysing, 7th?? December
Dear Brother and Sister-in-law,
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and thank you ever so much for writing Mother for her birthday, the letter arrived exactly on the day, and she was thrilled, well the rest of us too, because we're always pleased to hear from you, it was nice seeing where you work, well also to see your wife and children, three big boys, well I can hardly imagine that little lady as being your wife, she looks so tiny in the picture, you could carry her around on your arm, like you do with the boys, well pardon me for thinking you're small, you may well be bigger than I, who knows.
Has winter arrived in your part of the world, it still hasn't arrived here, but then it may come with a vengeance soon enough, and my husband crushes stones for road construction, well that is a cold job.
Today we went to Lillenor to see our old home. The house has been purchased by my husband's brother, so in a way it's still in the family. You would hardly recognize it, it's been underpinned with red stones, so now it's red all over.
Well, it's the 9th now, I'll pick up where I left off. Today is stormy and rainy, real awful weather, I do assure you. Perhaps you've also had storms over there, well it's what may be expected now, nasty cold weather, so the stove must be fed all the time.
Well, our little boy will be 1 year old on the 18th, that is when we received your Christmas letter last year, my letter will probably be too late for Christmas, but I do hope you'll get it for New Year, well I'll end this letter with greetings from my husband and big boy and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, also with greetings from your sister
Mette |
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1929 Danish Postage Stamp
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7 Dec 1929 Letter, Mette Kirstine Sørensen to Søren Ole Sørensen The following is the 3rd letter in the family's possessions from Mette to her brother Søren. |
Census |
4 Apr 1930 |
Billings, Yellowstone, Montana, USA [7] |
Census 1930
School District 2, First Ward, Billings, Yellowstone, Montana, Enumeration Dist 56-2, April 4, 1930 |
Age: 41 |
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1930 Census for Soren Ole Sorenson and Family
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Family Letters |
8 Dec 1931 |
Kysing, Arhus Amt, Denmark |
Dear Son and Daughter-in-law,
It's too bad of me that I haven't written to you for so long, but I have had so much on my mind, dear Son, and then the great sorrow of watching Mette go before me. She was so tired, it was cancer that killed her, I only wish I'd been a little more well than I am, I'm rather old for looking after a home, I'm 73, years, but my sister Margrethe will be 80 on the 18th.
You should have seen the big wreaths sent for Mette's funeral, I've never seen so many in my life. He wrote notes of thank you to 100 and 16 [116 people]. Do write me soon, dear Son, and give my love to your dear wife and your little boys and the little girl, too. |
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8 Dec 1931 Letter, Ann Marie (Olesen) Sørensen to her son, Søren Ole Sørensen The following is the 5th translated letter in the family's possessions and was attached to the translated letter #4..
The letter is from Søren's mother, Ann Marie (Olesen) Sørensen after the death of her daughter and Søren's sister, Mette Kirstine (Sørensen) Jensen. The letter was written on a single sheet of paper, folded in half and written on 3 sides with lines drawn on the paper so that she could write more evenly. The letter was attached to the letter that Jens P Jensen, Mette's husband, wrote to Søren after the death of his wife. |
Family Letters |
8 Dec 1931 |
Kysing, Arhus Amt, Denmark |
Kysing 8th December 1931
Dear Brother-in-law and family,
How are you doing over there. We've suffered a bad loss in that Mette died from us on 11th September. She's been sick for several years. Now, towards the end, she was bedridden for 11 days, but she's been poorly since Whitsuntide. She's had radiology treatment several times over the last few years, and several times during last summer. You can be sure it's hard for me to be without Mette. I have so many things to take care of. I'm a member of the parish council, and I'm head of the sick-benefit association, apart from a number of other things, and it all takes up much of my time. Praised be Grandmother, she's cooking for us now and takes on a number of other chores, it's nice that she can be with the boys when I'm at a meeting or out collecting taxes.
That apart, earnings are small now, as I don't have that much time for working, and also work is scarce in these desperate times. Do write us soon, Grandmother longs to hear from you.
Best wishes to all of you from Jens P. Jensen
Kysing pr. Odder
Danmark |
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8 Dec 1931 Letter, Jens P. Jensen to Soren Ole Sorenson Family letter detailing death of Mette Kirstine Sorenson Jensen, Soren's sister. |
Family Letters |
9 Dec 1931 |
Mostrup, Mosbjerg herred, Hjorring amt, Denmark |
Mostrup 9 Dec
Dear Brother,
How are you over there, I'm afraid I'm too late for this to be a Christmas letter, but then you'll get it eventually. Times are bad back here, but judging by the newspaper it's about the same where you are, but then you're not writing much, so maybe it's even worse than they write. We still have sufficient to eat, but for how long noone knows. Nothing of what we have to sell fetches much. How are you, dear Brother, do you have a little work, or how are you getting something to eat? You do know, I presume, that our dear sister Mette died? I haven't asked Mother whether she's written this to you, but she died on Sep 11, well that was a great blow to her husband and children, yes, to all of us. It hasn't sunk in with me yet, I keep thinking this cannot be true, but unfortunately it is. And where Mother is concerned, well, I don't think she's going to last much longer, she's losing weight at an alarming rate, but then she's old. I'm not too happy with the fact that Mette's husband is keeping her on as a housekeeper, and then she even has to pay him 15 kr per month to stay there. I'm going to wait a while, but if Mother wants to, I'll take her in, 'cause I don't think it's fair that she has to work this hard in her old age. Do drop her a line, that would cheer her up tremendously, Mette's death was a very hard blow for her, but then she does have the children to look after when he's out and about, and he is much of the time, 'cause he's got a lot to do. Well, that'll have to be it for now, the very best from all of us, your sister Oline
We wish you a merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Bjerregaard Nielsen
Mostrup pr. Hald St.
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9 Dec 1931 Letter, Oline Nielsen to Søren Ole Sørensen The following is an original letter in the family's possession. The letter is from Søren's sister, Oline, to Søren Ole Sørensen after the death of their sister Mette. |
Family Letters |
15 Mar 1935 |
Rejstrup, Aarhus, Denmark |
Restrup Enge 15th March 1935
Dear Brother,
Well, now there's only you and me left of the entire family, as our Dear Mother has passed away, but then she was old and hasn't been well for the past year, and she was 77 years old. She died on 6th March and was buried on 10th, and it's just so sad that I have to bury her here in the north, because we don't intend to stay on here, it's beyond Aalborg, if you remember where that is, but then you've probably almost forgotten even where Denmark is. I wonder will we ever see each other again, well, you never know, but that would be nice. I wonder how you're doing, and I think of you often. Do write me soon and let me know if you and your wife and the little boys are well, oh well, the boys aren't that small anymore, at least not the older ones. Do let me know whether the little girl has arrived, or whether it's all boys with you. My eldest girl Marie has been confirmed and has turned 15. The boy, Anker, is a little behind, he's 12, and then there are 4 more, the youngest is 6 this summer. I cannot recall whether you know that auntie (moster: mother's sister) in Malling has died, but that was 2 years ago. Mother was the last one of that family, now there are only the cousins (fætre: male cousins) left, and I don't ever see them. But it's nice that I have my husband, we have a good life together, he reminds me of you the way you were back here, because you used to be always cheerful, and so is he, if only money weren't so scarce, but then we do have what we need, and will have to settle for that, but luxuries are not something we see often. Oh, well, I don't know what else to tell you, but do write me soon and let me know how you and your entire family are doing.
Loving regards from your sister Oline and her husband
Bjerregaard Nielsen
Restrup Enge
Frejlev pr Aalborg |
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15 Mar 1935, Letter from Oline Sorenson Nielsen to Soren Ole Sorenson Letter details the death of their mother, Ann Marie Olesen |
Census |
2 May 1940 |
Dillon, Beaverhead, Montana, USA [8] |
Census 1940
Montana, Beaverhead, Dillon, 2 May 1940, SD 1, ED 1-2, sheet 23A, 562 Barnett Avenue, dwelling 609, Own home valued at $800, same residence as 1 April 1935, not a farm, census information provided by Lena Sorenson
Soren O. Sorenson, head 51. Lena, wife 36. Children: Albert, son 14; Otto, son 13; Elmer, son 11; Lester, son 9; David, son 6; Luana, daughter 3; Marianne, daughter 3; Elizabeth, daughter 0 months old. Soren was a laborer working on own account; working 32 hours per week; income for 1939 was $587. He is a veteran. Albert, Otto, Elmer, Lester, and David are attending school. Highest school attendance: Soren 8th; Lena (illegible); Albert 8th; Otto 7th; Elmer 5th; Lester 3rd. Soren was born in Denmark; Lena in Switzerland; the children all in Montana. Next door to Maude Hubbard (widow).
Additional census information for Albert. Child of veteran who served in a War; no social security card; father born in Denmark, mother born in Switzerland. |
Age: 51 |
Family Interest |
4 Dec 1946 |
Denmark |
1946 Christmas Postcard
Den 4 Dec 1946
Dear Soren,
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Here I am in Denmark had a fine trip home and having a good time.
There has been lots of changes since we left 1991 and proble always get around to talk about "Deforkistorke Tyskere".
There is plentty to eat here but a little short of clothings just enough to get along.
The weather here are just like we had in Oregon wett and cold. Don't know I will stay or not.
Your friend,
Crhis. |
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1946 Christmas Card (front) The following is a postcard that Søren Ole Sørensen received from a friend in Denmark, 4 December 1946. The card is signed by Chris and is believed to the Hans Christian Petersen, the friend who traveled with Søren to the United States in 1911. The 1920 Census indicates that both Søren and Christian were both living at the same address in Beaverhead County, Montana. |
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Christmas Card from Hans Christian Petersen to Soren O. Sorenson, dated 4 Dec 1946 (back) The following is a postcard that Søren Ole Sørensen received from a friend in Denmark, 4 December 1946. The card is signed by Chris and is believed to the Hans Christian Petersen, the friend who traveled with Søren to the United States in 1911. The 1920 Census indicates that both Søren and Christian were both living at the same address in Beaverhead County, Montana. |
Military Service |
6 Jul 1948 |
Dillon, Beaverhead, Montana, USA [9] |
Application for Headstone or Marker
Request for Upright marble headstone with Christian Emblem. Enlistment date 3 Oct 1917, Serial Number 2260537, Discharge date 15 Aug 1917, Pension C-1232362. U.S. Regiment 39th Infantry, 4th Div. |
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Headstone Application for Military Veteran, Soren Ole Sorenson, 6 Jul 1948
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Obituary |
6 Jul 1948 |
Dillon, Beaverhead, Montana, USA |
Obituary
S.O. Sorenson Passes Away Suddenly (Obituary #1)/Well Known Dillon Man is Claimed (Obituary #2)
Obituary #1
July 6, 1948, No 187 (possibly the Dillon Tribune)
S.O. Sorenson Passes Away Suddenly
Soren O. Sorenson, 60, died at 2:30 a.m. this morning at his home at 532 Barnett street from a sudden heart attach. Although Mr. Sorenson had been ill for six weeks, his passing was an unexpected shock.
Mr. Sorenson was born at Malling, Denmark, on May 30, 1888. He grew to young manhood in Denmark and came to this country, coming directly to Beaverhead county, when he was 21 years of age. He started working for Carl C. Hansen, who was an acquaintance in Denmark. He worked for Mr. Hansen for certain periods until his death.
The deceased was married to Lena Hug, of Yellowstone county, in March 1924. He moved to Billings where he ws employed as a locksmith. He returned to Beaverhead county in 1931 where he went Armstead and again worked for Carl C. Hansen. In 1933 he moved to Dillon which has since been his home.
He is survived by his wife, six boys, Albert, Otto, Elmer, Lester, David and Alan, all of who live in Dillon except Otto, who lives in Portland; three daughters, Mariann, Launa and Betty, all of Dillon. Three granddaughters, Nancy Jean, Carol Ann and Edith Lorraine, also survive.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Brundage Chapel. Interment will be in the Mountain View cemetery with the Dillon Veterans of Foreign Wars conducting graveside services.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Well Known Dillon Man is Claimed, Soren O. Sorenson Dies at Home Here Tuesday Morning
Soren O. Sorenson, 60, a verteran of World War I and a well-known resident of the city where he has made his home for the past 20 years, died early Tuesday morning at his home following a heart attack which came suddenly. He had been in failing health for the past year and his death was not unexpected but came as a shock to a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Sorenson was a native of Malling, Denmark, where he was born May 30, 1888. As a youth, he came to America and thence to Beaverhead county, being first employed by the late Carl C. Hansen, a friend in his youth, who had preceded him to this country and was engaged in ranching near Armstead. After the first World War, during which he served overseas with the U.S. Army, he located in the eastern part of the state where he was married in 1924 and later returned to Beaverhead county where he has since resided.
Surviving relatives include his widow, Mrs. Lena Sorenson, three sons and daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sorenson and daughter, Carol Anne; Mr and Mrs Elmer Sorenson and their daughter, Edith Lorraine of Dillon, and Mr and Mrs Otto Sorenson and Sorenson and daughter, Edith Lorraine of Portland, Ore.; three sons, Lester, David, and Alan and three daughters, Marianne, Luana and Betty, all of this city.
The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Brundage chapel. |
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Soren Ole Sorenson Obituaries S.O. Sorenson Passes Away Suddenly
Well Known Dillon Man is Claimed |
Death Certificate |
6 Jul 1948 |
Dillon, Beaverhead, Montana, USA [10] |
Death Certificate Dil 1316
Dillon, Beaverhead, Montana, USA
Source: Montana Office of Vital Statistics |
Age: 60 |
Cause: Heart Attack |
Died |
6 Jul 1948 |
Dillon, Beaverhead, Montana, USA [11] |
Cemetery |
Aft 6 Jul 1948 |
Dillon, Beaverhead, Montana, USA |
Mountainview Cemetery |
Buried |
Mountain View Cemetery, Dillon, Beaverhead, Montana, USA |
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Soren O Sorenson
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Person ID |
I3 |
clanSoren |
Last Modified |
26 Mar 2018 |