Fifth Generation

46. Jon C. SORENSON was born on 25 September 1937 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁸ He died on 17 July 2014 at the age of 76.³⁸

Obituary Notes: "Jon C. Sorenson peacefully sailed on into the arms of his maker on Thursday, July 17, 2014, after a brief struggle with cancer. Jon was born Sept. 25, 1937, to Theodore and Dorothy (Kelley) Sorenson, in Sparta.

Jon grew up in Tomah on the Sorenson family farm. Cadet Sorenson graduated from Pillsbury Military Academy, Owatonna, Minn., in 1955 with the rank of first lieutenant. Jon proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He had enlisted in 1955 with 15 of his closest friends. He also served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

Jon married Janet Frase on July 6, 1963, in New York. Jon and Jan raised three daughters, Karyn, Linda and Barbara, whom they were very proud of. Jon was a 32° master mason and a member of the Tripoli Shrine. Jon was also a 32° Scottish Rite and York Rite. Some of Jon’s business ventures included Sorenson’s Siding and Trim, navy recruiter, and Jon’s Installation Service. Once retired, Jon, a very talented craftsman, enjoyed building wood projects for family and friends.

Among the many, many friends whom he cherished, Jon is survived by his three daughters, Karyn (Jeff) Wetzel, Dr. Linda Rietveld, and Barbara, aka Maynard, (Rick Malnory) Sorenson; 12 grandchildren, Angela (Brock) Fandrich of Lodi, Wis., Corry Wetzel and Sonja Peplinski of Portage, Wis., Christina (Tech. Sgt. Frank, U.S. Air Force) Annett of Hampton, Va., and Petty Officer 1st Class Nicholi (Chief Petty Officer Jeff Bealmear), U.S. Navy of Virginia Beach, Va., Cody Wetzel and Katherine Telvick of Portage, Zane and Gabe Rietveld of Roswell, Ga., Patrick Binning Jr., Justin Hetzel and Joshua Hetzel, all of Oshkosh, Wis; 11 great-grandchildren, Ryle, Ayden, Payton and Grayson Fandrich of Lodi, Arrick Peplinski of Portage, Alyssa, Lucille and Hunter Annett of Hampton, Va., Chloe and Brody Alexander (due to arrive in October 2014) Bealmear of Virginia Beach, and Titan Cummings of Portage; brothers, Rick (Anna) and Kurt Sorenson; a sister, Ann (Sorenson) Lambert; niece, Lisa Gochenaur and her family, and nephew, Corey Lambert and his family.

He is also survived by long-time friend, David Schmidt, and his loyal companion, Tux.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Dorothy (Kelley) Sorenson; a brother, Teddy Sorenson; a brother-in-law, Allen Lambert; a grandson, Cory Allen Hetzel; a nephew, Brian Lambert; canine companion, Buster; and the mother of his children and former wife of 23 years, Janet (Frase) Sorenson.

A memorial gathering will be held at WINN-CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 5785 Hwy. Q., Waunakee, Wis., on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, from 10 to noon. A moment of sharing will be held from 11:30 a.m. until noon when military rites will take place. The family would like to thank those who so generously cared for Jon at Madison VA Hospital and CLC, Senior Helpers, especially Tori, the Heartland Hospice team, and Winn Funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or Disabled American Veterans.

Rest in peace Daddy. You will always be in our hearts. Love Karyn, Linda and Barbie."

Jon C. SORENSON and Janet "Jan" FRASE were married on 6 July 1963 in New York.³⁸ They³⁸ were divorced about 1986.³⁹ Janet "Jan" FRASE died before July 2014.

Jon C. SORENSON and Janet "Jan" FRASE had the following children: