Obituary for Terris "Terry" L. Sorensen at Martin-Mattice Funeral Home (2024)

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Monday, July 29, 2024
11:00 A.M.
Holy Family Catholic Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Paul Kelly

INURNMENT
Mount Calvary Cemetery
Polo, South Dakota
To be held at a later date.

Terris Lee (Terry) Sorensen, son of Chester M. and Phyllis (Babb) Sorensen, was born on October 8,1948 in Yankton, South Dakota. He grew up in Irene, SD, graduating from Irene High School in 1966. In high school he was very active in sports and music, then furthered his love of music at Yankton College, graduating from there in 1970 with a Bachelor of Music degree in instrumental music education with an emphasis on trumpet.

On July 26, 1969, he married Judy Schaefer of Polo, SD at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton. During their marriage they were blessed with 3 children: Jamie, Mark, and Tonia. They were planning to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary this month.

Following college graduation, Terry and Judy moved to Iowa to begin their teaching careers. Terry was band director for grades 5-12 at Sioux Valley School, Peterson and Linn Grove, for 5 years. During this time their 2 sons Jamie and Mark were born. In 1975 they moved to Manning where Terry was band director 5-12 for a year. Looking for a new adventure, in 1976 Terry and Judy purchased the bowling alley in Emmetsburg, which they operated for a short time before selling it in the interest of their young family. In 1977 Terry went to work as an assistant manager at Pamline until it closed in 1982. For the next 7 years he was in a partnership building Newline pressure washers. Then in 1990 Terry became the manager of Dyno’s Convenience Store, a position he filled until his retirement in 1999 due to serious health problems. Meanwhile, their daughter Tonia was born in 1983 amidst all these changes.

Terry’s real passion in life was music. After arriving in Emmetsburg, he soon became a member of the Municipal Band, and for many years he belonged to both the Northwest Iowa Concert and Jazz Bands. For Main Street Community Theatre, he played trumpet in the band for a dozen musicals, starting with the very first one in 1978. In 1988 he received the very first “Coveted Rubber Chicken Award” for his music work at the theatre, and in 1991 he received the Golden Production Award for behind-the-scenes work. He also served on the MSCT Board of Directors.

In other community work, Terry served on the original Economic Development Council to plan and create a permanent local group. On another musical note, in 2009 he formed and directed an original brass group called Biblical Brass which provided music for special occasions at churches and at the annual “Home for the Holidays” city Christmas celebrations.

Terry was a faithful member of Holy Family Parish, involved in the music ministry as choir director and youth group choir organizer for several years. He also served as a board member of Emmetsburg Catholic School.

Terry loved his family and was a good husband and dad. As the kids were growing up, the family went on fun camping trips. He helped coach several Little League baseball and softball teams and offered much encouragement to all three of his children in their musical and athletic endeavors.

After Judy’s retirement, together they enjoyed several faith-based reflections online each morning. Something very meaningful to Terry in the last year of his life was that both he and Judy listened to and completed Fr. Mike’s “Bible in a Year” online. It was a wonderful preparation for his farewell to this world. He was thankful and hopeful for a new life.

Terry was in At-Home Hospice for 3 ½ months. He passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2024, at the age of 75. He was preceded in death by his parents Chester and Phyllis Sorensen, a sister Cheryl Sorensen, and his parents-in-law Lawrence and Margaret Schaefer.

Left to cherish Terry’s memory are his wife Judy, his 3 children, 11 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter: Jamie (Annette) Sorensen of Onawa and their 9 children: Isaac (Ellie) and their daughter Sadie, Hannah (Cameron) Bender, Selah (Chris) O’Daniels (all 3 couples of Kansas City, MO), Micah, Jeriah, Elias, Brie, Charis, and Quentin at home; Mark Sorensen of Storm Lake; and Tonia (Brock) Householder of Prairie City and their 2 children: Wyndam and Rowyn. Also surviving are his sister Judy (Larry) Brunsvig of Madison, SD, brother-in-law Robert Schaefer of Polo, SD, sister-in-law Linda (Herman) Kindle of Pierre, SD, and many extended family members and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home