Obituary of Gunnar SORENSEN

Gunnar Sorensen of Havasu Heights died September 28, 2004 at Lake Hills Inn of complications, from advanced prostate cancer. He was 86 years old. Born in Denmark to Sooren and Andrea Sorensen on June 29, 1918, Gunnar was the youngest of 15 children. He grew up on his parent's farm where he learned the true meaning of a hard day's work. At a young age he apprenticed and learned the machinist trade in Denmark. In 1947 he immigrated to the United States. With just a second grade of Danish education, he quickly learned to speak and write the English language and became a United States citizen in 1949. He worked in the aircraft and other industries in Los Angeles, as a tool and die maker and machinist.In 1980, he moved to Lake Havasu City and worked as a tool and die maker for McCulloch Corp., retiring in 1982. He lived the past 14 years in his home out in Havasu Heights. Until recently he enjoyed working in his machine shop for the past twenty-two years on various projects. He has a patented design for a new and innovative garden tool called the "Handy Planter".Gunnar will be remembered as a kind, gentle, and loving husband and father. His friends and loved ones will always happily remember his wry sense of humor.Gunnar is survived by his wife, Flora Sepel (resident of Lake Hills Inn, nursing home) his step-son Jim Sepel and family (Joyce, Darin, Angie, Sadie, and Nate) of Juneau, Alaska, and granddaughter Leslie Dietz and family of Washington State. His daughter, Diane Lederfine passed away in 2003.Gunnar request that there be no services and asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Western Arizona Humane Society, 1100 Empire Dr; Lake Havasu City, AZ. 86404. Arrangements were entrusted to Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.