Richard Sorensen Obituary

Richard Verner Sorensen, 81, of Vermillion, South Dakota passed away on Friday, July 29, 2022 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 pm with a wake service at 7 pm on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Vermillion. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 5, 2022 at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Fr. Chris Cowles officiating. Burial will take place following the service at Calvary Cemetery in Vermillion with military honors conducted by VFW Clay Co. Post 3061 Richard was born on November 23, 1940 to Verner and Marlo (Mortensen) Sorensen. He was born at home on the original Sorensen Farmstead where his nephew still farms. Richard joined sister, Eleanor and later became a big brother to Jim and Marvin. As the oldest son, Richard became his father's farmhand at a young age. He recounted driving tractors at the tender age of 5. After graduating from Vermillion High School in 1959, Richard obtained an accounting degree from National Business Institute in Sioux City, IA. He then enlisted in the Air National Guard and was stationed in Sergeant Bluff, IA. After serving nearly six years in the Air Guard, Richard was honorably discharged. Following his true calling in life, Richard moved to his farm on Highway 50, where he tirelessly spent the following 60 years. Richard married Barbara Benjamin on April 20, 1968. They welcomed a daughter, Suzanne, in 1969 and a son, Matt, in 1977. Richard taught his children by example. His work ethic was, and remains, unsurpassable. Richard was the first to rise and the last to bed, eagerly meeting the demands of the day and season. His children dutifully worked on the farm, answering his early morning wake-up call no matter what hour they came in the night before. Richard was a loyal and supportive husband for 54 years. As many can attest to, Richard pridefully took meticulous care of his farm. He was (at least) a fourth-generation Danish farmer. He understood both the gift and the awesome responsibility of being a farmer and embraced it while-heartedly. It was as if Paul Harvey wrote "So God Made A Farmer" with Richard in mind. Richard's son and grandsons are humbled and grateful for the privilege to walk in his footsteps as they carry on Sorensen Family Farms. Richard was a much loved Dad and Grandpa and will be dearly missed. A close friend aptly described him as a wise stabilizing presence. Richard is survived by his wife, Barb, daughter, Suzanne (Kent) Rozell and their children, Kayla (Oscar), Kendal (Kinzie), and Kaleb; son, Matt (Kasey) Sorensen and their children, Grace, Eric, and Levi; great-grandchildren, Liam and Brooklyn; sister, Eleanor Nelson; brother, Marvin (Coolie) Sorensen and several nephews and nieces. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Jim and Jim's wife Mariella; brother-in-law, Maurice Nelson. The family requests that in lieu of flowers you consider a memorial to the Vermillion Booster Club, PO Box 211, Vermillion, SD 57069. To send flowers to the family of Richard, please visit our floral store.