Orrin Sorum

Orrin Sorum, 89, died September 19, 2023 at Pelican Valley Senior Living, in Pelican Rapids.

Orrin Burnett Sorum, 89, was born October 15, 1933 in Norwegian Grove Township, rural Pelican Rapids, the son of Orville and Bernice (Halbakken) Sorum. He was baptized at North Immanuel Church rural Pelican Rapids and confirmed at Hamar Lutheran Church, Rothsay, MN.

He attended rural grade school through 8th grade and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School with the Class of 1952. After graduation he moved to California and worked at Lockheed Aviation. In 1958 he was drafted in the military and chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed out of San Diego, California as a sea going Marine on the U.S.S. Bremerton. He served on the Honor Guard. He felt privileged to have served his country as a Marine. After his discharge he returned to the family farm, farming with his father, Orville and brother, Lyle.

On January 2, 1960, he was united in marriage to Bonnie L. Aarness at North Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, MN. In 1973 to 1979 they moved with their family to the Carlisle area where they dairy farmed. They met many dear friends and neighbors. In 1979 they had the opportunity to purchase the Sorum family farm and have since resided there. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and would speak Norwegian to anyone that would listen if they understood him or not.

He had the opportunity of traveling to Norway twice and enjoyed seeing the Sorum farmstead and meeting many relatives. He thoroughly enjoyed a cruise on the beautiful Norway Fjords.

He enjoyed snowmobiling and get-togethers with friends to play cards. He served on several committees including the building of New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, Farmer’s Elevator Board, Park Region Oil in Pelican Rapids and Buffalo Watershed Board.

His favorite R and R was driving around the countryside looking at crops and all the beautiful landscapes wherever the road would take him.

He had an admirable record of witching water for many wells. It was always a sense of satisfaction when water was found and the depth. He also had a knack for detecting stray voltage.
Most of all, he loved his family and was always concerned for their well-being. When they had just left, he was wondering when they were coming back. “You have got to watch the “little ones” so they don’t get hurt.”

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Reuben, who died in the Korean Conflict; brother, Selvin; sister-in-law, Delores; brother, Lyle; sister, Mavis Holt; brothers-in-law, Curtis Holt and Carl Baumgartner; great-granddaughter, Aaliyah Payne and many dear aunts and uncles.

Orrin is survived by his wife, Bonnie of 63 years; son, Todd; daughter, Shelley (Keith) Gummeringer; son, Troy (Jason Gallus); granddaughters, Autumn Gummeringer and Kazra Allen; great-granddaughter, Malana Payne; sisters, Sylvia Baumgartner and Beverly (Jerome) Sanden and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at New Life Church in Rothsay with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Reverend Randy Whitehead

Interment: Hamar Cemetery, rural Rothsay, MN

Arrangements provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com