Duane E.  Sorenson, 82, of Rochester, MN, died September 4, 2011, at the V.A. Medical Center in Minneapolis.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3 ^rd Ave. SE, Rochester, with Pastor Andrew Nelson officiating.  Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.  Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 7 ^th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12 ^th St. S.E., and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Duane was born on June 28, 1929 in Bricelyn, MN to Stella and Ernest Sorenson.  He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1947 and married Lavon Lee in Albert Lea on December 13, 1953.  Duane worked 13 years at Almco in Albert Lea and 24 years at IBM as a Tool and Model Maker.  He was sworn into the Army in 1951, serving our country as a sergeant and machine-gunner in the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife, Lavon, of 57 years; son, Mark (Lucy Poole) of West St. Paul; daughters, Trudy Papke-Jung (Tom) of Chaska; Joni Maxfield (Karl) of Coon Rapids, 13 grandchildren and brothers, Harlowe (Marlys) of Arkansas and Ronald (Virginia) of Albert Lea, MN.

Duane enjoyed time with his family, fishing, hunting and especially his grandchildren.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com