Dorothy Joan Sorenson

Dorothy Sorenson, age 91, of Garretson, passed away on Friday, October 3, 2025. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 8th, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson. Interment will follow in the West Palisade Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson.

Dorothy Joan (Stensland) Sorenson was born in Sioux Falls, SD, on January 16, 1934, to Thomas and Leone (Hove) Stensland. She and her younger brother Lyle grew up on the family farm. Dorothy attended country school at Mount Pleasant Grade School. She graduated from Garretson High School in 1952. After attending General Beadle College in Madison, SD, she taught at a country school in rural Dell Rapids, SD. 

In 1954, Dorothy married Richard Nelson at Palisade Lutheran Church. Dorothy and Richard had two children, Laurie (Nelson-Moe) and Ryan. In 1975, Dorothy began working at Palisade Manor nursing home in Garretson, SD. She worked in the kitchen and retired after 25 years of service. Following her retirement, she returned to Palisade Manor, where she spent another 11 years working part-time in the laundry department. Dorothy was deeply committed to the residents and brought a true spirit of compassion to all who resided there. The residents loved her and her smile. 

In 1979, Dorothy married Dennis Sorenson. Dennis had three children, Ron, Darla (Lowe), and Rick. Many fun times were had through the years when all the families got together—especially at Christmas time— with fun, food, and laughter. Dorothy and Dennis enjoyed traveling and camping. They also made quite a wood working team. Dorothy assisted Dennis in putting the stain on his many wood working projects. Dennis passed away in 1997. 

Dorothy loved country music. She also loved to dance and never missed an opportunity to do so. Dorothy was always busy and rarely sat down to rest. The concept of a nap was rarely entertained. She could be seen outside sweeping her sidewalk, tending to her flowers, or feeding the birds. Her backyard was filled with birds, butterflies, and colorful flowers. Some in Garretson called her the “flower lady.”

On those rare occasions when she did sit down, she was enjoying coffee with her special friends. Dorothy was also a member of the Garretson Red Hat Society. 

In February of 2024, Dorothy left her home of fifty years and moved into Bethany Meadows memory care. She resided there until August 16, 2025. She passed away at Palisade Healthcare Center on October 3, 2025. 

Throughout Dorothy’s life people commented on her beautiful smile. Dorothy’s smile and caring nature will be missed by those whose lives she touched. Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Laurie (Michael) Moe, Bruce, SD; son, Ryan (Renee) Nelson, Garretson, SD; step-children, Ron Sorenson, Blaine, MN; Darla (Jeff) Lowe, Garretson, SD; Rick (Jan) Sorenson, Colorado Springs, CO; step-grandchildren, Jamie (Jase) Benson, Garretson, SD; Leslie (Ryan) Longhenry, Garretson, SD; Kirby (Maddie) Lowe, Garretson, SD; Jennifer (Nick) Solberg, Hams, MN; Kim (Aubrey) Sorenson, Spring Lake Park, MN; Kelly Moniken, Big Lake, MN; Erik (Annabel) Asp, Denver, CO; Jason (Deona) Asp, Denver, CO; Amber (Roger) Koppen, Davenport, IA; Angela (Garth Johnson) Koch, Arlington, SD; Susan (Ryan) DeWitte, Sioux Falls, SD; Mitchell (Nikki Elsing) Koch, Sioux Falls, SD; step-great-grandchildren, and special friend Norm Nussbaum, Garretson, SD.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friend Don Johnson.

 A heart-felt thank you goes out to the special caregivers who allowed her to remain in her beloved home as long as she could, and to the caregiving teams at Bethany Meadows memory care and Palisade Healthcare Center. Your care truly made a difference in her life.