David Sorensen

David E. Sorensen age 93, of Kingsford, passed away Friday December 10th at the Oscar G. Johnson V.A. Medical Center in Iron Mountain. Dave was born in Menominee, MI. on April 5, 1917, son of Samuel & Johanna (Peterson) Sorensen. In 1920 the family moved to Kingsford & Dave has remained there for most of his life. He graduated from Kingsford High School in 1935 & then was employed in the Marenisco area in the CCC camps & lumbering operations. In 1940 he married his first wife, Stella Grasky, who preceded him in death in 1946. Dave entered the U.S. Army in October of 1942 & was discharged in January 1946. He served in France from April of 1944 until December of 1945. Dave was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Service Medal, EAME Theatre Medal W/2 Bronze Stars & the Victory Medal. Dave was a member of the DAV & American Legion. After leaving the army and the death of his wife, Dave lived in Cleveland, OH. where he met Bernice (Atherton) Coughlin, a widow with a young son. Dave & Bea were married in January of 1948 and then returned to live in Kingsford and at the time of her death in 2004 they had been married for over 56 years. When the City of Kingsford started a fire department, in 1948, Dave was hired & continued as a fireman there until his retirement in 1974. After retirement Dave worked for Champion Timberlands, in Norway until 1986. He then became a crossing guard at the Woodland School until health problems prevented further work. Dave also owned & operated “Dave’s Bike Shop” for over 40 years & was well known for his expertise in bike and motorcycle wheel repairs. Dave is survived by his children Robert (Ann) Coughlin of Iron Mountain, Gordon (Paula) Sorensen of Norway, & Julaine Anderson (Robert Hood) of Iron Mountain, 11 grandchildren: Robert (Kathy) Coughlin Jr., David (April) Coughlin, John Coughlin, James (Chris) Coughlin, Jennifer (Pat) Flynn, Heather (Eric Langlois) Sorensen, Sara (Jason) Tregillis, Samuel (Monica) Sorensen and Benjamin, Adam, & Zachary Mitchell. 12 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild & many nieces & nephews. In addition to his wives & parents Dave was preceded in death by his son Philip Sorensen, brothers Gordon, Clifford, Wilfred & sister Doris Case. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm at the Kingsford Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 6:00pm at the funeral home. Rev. Robert Mueller will officiate. Burial will be in Dickinson County Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory. The family would like to thank the staffs at the Hyland Nursing Home & Oscar G. Johnson V.A. Medical Center for the loving care they provided to Dave. Condolences to the family of David E. Sorensen may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements.

David Sorensen

April 5, 1917 - December 10, 2010