Swan Lake….Douglas Sorensen, 88, a longtime resident passed away at his home on March 4, 2013, following a short-term illness.
Doug was born April 20, 1924 in Swan Lake Idaho. He was raised in Swan Lake and educated in Swan Lake and Downey, graduating from Downey High School in May of 1942. He later attended college in Moscow and Pocatello, Idaho.
With the Second World Ward raging, he enlisted in the Navy in April of 1943. He received his Gold Naval Aviator Wings in December of 1944. He came home on leave and married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Marshall, on the 30th of December. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple on October 29, 1947. He had a choice of becoming an instructor or fly for the Coast Guard. He chose the Coast Guard and took his bride to Port Angeles, Washington where he flew amphibious PBY aircraft. Doug worked as a recruiter from 1946-1949 and was discharged in May of 1949.
They started a family with the birth of a son, Craig in 1947; followed by sons – Sheldon (1950), Darwin (1954) and a daughter – Lauralee (1961).
They made their home in Swan Lake where they farmed and ranched for 49 years.
Doug was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving as Bishop, High Councilman and Stake President. During his long service in the church he helped supervise the building of the Swan Lake, Downey and Lava Hot Springs Chapels, the McCammon Idaho Stake Center and also the remodel of the Arimo Idaho Stake Center.
Doug is loved and admired by several hundred young women who called him “Girl’s Camp Grandpa.” He never missed a girl’s camp for over 40 years. He attended a girl’s camp for the last time at the age of 83.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Carra; brothers; Kenneth, Russell, Woodrow, Harvey and Eugene; sisters, Lucille, Margaret, Lorraine and Louise; Great Grandson, Christian Sean Watkins.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma of 68 years, Craig (Marna) Sorensen – Pocatello, Sheldon (Elaine) Sorensen- Burley, Darwin (Peggy) Sorensen – Swan Lake, Lauralee (Clyde) Hart – Washington D.C.; 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 9 at 12 noon in the Swan Lake LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the church and again from 10:30-11:45 a.m. prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Horsley’s Marsh Valley Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.horsleyfuneralhome.com
The family would especially like to thank the Franklin County Hospice for their loving care.