Marilyn J. Sorenson

Roelyn Marilyn J. Sorenson 91, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2022 at the Community Care Center in Stuart. Graveside Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at the Callender Cemetery, Callender, with Rev. Mike Carlson officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at Our Saviours Lutheran Church, Callender. Memorials may be left to Our Saviours Lutheran Church. Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie is serving the family. Marilyn is survived by her daughter Shari (Mike) Carlson of Winterset; grandchildren, Amy (Steve) Keller of Winterset and Matt (Dina) Carlson of Westport, CT; great-grandchildren, Anna, Kate and Jack Keller, Blake and Brooke Carlson; and other relatives and friends. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Gene; her parents, Olney and Edna (Brueland) Bilstad; sister Pauline Pike; and brothers, Russell Bilstad and Gene Bilstad. Marilyn Joan Bilstad was born April 2, 1930 at home on a farm near Callender, Iowa to Olney and Edna (Brueland) Bilstad, the youngest of their four children. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Callender. When she was a young child, her family moved to a farm near Somers, Iowa. Marilyn graduated from Somers High School with the Class of 1948, after which she earned a teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) in Cedar Falls. She then taught in a one room country school near Knierim. Marilyn was united in marriage to Gene Sorenson on May 28, 1950 at Our Saviours Lutheran Church and they farmed near Roelyn. They had one daughter, Shari. When Shari went to college, Marilyn returned to teaching full-time at St. Matthews Catholic School in Clare Iowa, where she taught until her retirement. Marilyn and Gene then enjoyed many years of spending the winter in Tucson, Arizona. During the summers, they enjoyed camping, fishing and attending their grandson Matts baseball games. From a young age, Marilyn loved to play the piano and organ. She gave piano lessons to students in her home for many years and played the organ at her Church. She also loved to cook and garden. One of her specialties was Lefse. She made many batches for family and friends during the Christmas season each year! SERVICES Graveside Services 2:00 p.m. - Wednesday March 9, 2022 Callender Cemetery Callender, Iowa OFFICIATING Rev. Mike Carlson VISITATION 1:00 p.m. - Wednesday March 9, 2022 Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Callender, Iowa