Virgil Christian Sorensen

Virgil Christian Sorensen, the son of Hans H. and Alice M. (Christensen) Sorensen, was born February 5, 1938, at his parents’ home in Hamlin Township, Audubon County, Iowa and died June 1, 2017, at his home half a mile from his birth home, northwest of Exira, Iowa at the age of 79 years, 3 months, and 26 days.
Virgil was baptized and confirmed at the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa. He attended rural schools Hamlin #9, #4, and #5 and then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1956. Virgil helped his father operate the family farm, operated his own custom anhydrous application business, and also helped other farmers. In 1958 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and served until 1964.
On January 17, 1964, he was united in marriage to Charlotte Savage at the Hamlin Lutheran Church. They were blessed with one son Michael. Virgil continued to farm growing row crops and raising livestock. He milked cows for many years then raised sheep. Later along with farming he was employed by John Jessen where he helped in the cattle yard. Later Virgil assisted Scott Lauritsen with his cattle herd for many years until he retired from farming. Virgil raised sheep until he had to sell the flock in 2015 due to his failing health. He still maintained his acreage until the spring of 2017.
Virgil was a member of the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa then transferred his membership to the Exira Lutheran Church when the Hamlin Church closed. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, Pheasants Forever, and the Audubon County Conservation Club (Izaak Walton League). Virgil always enjoyed assisting with the 4-H sheep entries at the Audubon County Fair for many years. He was a commissioner for the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) from 1974 through 2017. Over the years, Virgil received many awards and citations and was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame in 2015 and received the Environmental Leader Award the same year at the Iowa State Fair.
Preceding him in death was his son Michael D. Sorensen; his parents Hans and Alice; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Cecil and Lillian Savage; his sister-in-law Silva and husband Harvey Christensen, his nephew Jody Christensen; and his cousin Richard Nelson.
Survivors include his wife Charlotte Sorensen of Exira, Iowa; his granddaughters Kimberly Meurer (Dan Knight) of Atlantic, Iowa, Jennifer and husband Matt Steffens of Atlantic, Iowa, and Angela Christensen of Killeen, Texas; his daughter-in-law Kellie Sorensen (Randy Kofoed) of Atlantic, Iowa; his great grandchildren Bethaney Meurer, Alex Meurer, Curtis Meurer, Makynzie Steffens, Ethan Steffens, Mariah Huffman, Hailey Huffman, and Quintin Steffens; his sister Dorothy and husband Lyle Nelson of Elk Horn, Iowa; his nieces and nephews Marcia and husband Skip VanderVegte of Texas, Greg and wife Donna Nelson of Harlan, Iowa, Gale Nelson of Canton, South Dakota, Karen and husband Danny Funderberg of Elk Horn, Iowa, Peggy Christensen of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Sandra and husband Dale Christensen of Adel, Iowa; his cousins Lois Nelson and Bernard and wife Barb Christensen all of Audubon, Iowa, and Richard Sorensen of Royal Oaks, Michigan; great nieces, great nephews other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Monday evening, June 5, 2017, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Tuesday morning, June 6, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa. The casket bearers will be Greg Nelson, Gale Nelson, Tony Smith, David Nelson, Scott Hansen, and Kurt Johnson.