"Linda you were so enthusiastic for life and love. We were all touched by your love and were better because of it. I will never forget Gold Rush and all the laughs we shared. Those moments made it fun though it was stressful. Your life was rich with your love of friends and family. I will look for you in the signs all around us. Peace to the Sorensen family. Joy Bertsinger "
In loving memory of
Linda Diane Sorensen
April 6, 1949 - May 13, 2022
On May 13, 2022, Linda Diane Sorensen (Richards) gently left this world. Linda loved fiercely, cared deeply and welcomed everyone with a hug.
Linda was born April 6,1949 in Minneapolis, MN. She is survived by Lance Sorensen, her spouse of 50 years; daughter Siri and her husband Bjorn Rolvaag (grandsons Espen and Halvor); son Neal; and siblings, Roger, Suzanne, Paul, Bobbi and Mark. She was preceded by her loving parents, Milton and Ruth Richards.
During her 36 years as a nurse at Mayo Clinic, Linda was dedicated to her patients and to supporting her colleagues. As the Pediatric Nurse Supervisor for the Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's hospital, she helped found the Mayo Clinic Pediatric Infusion Therapy Center and worked to further education for pediatric nurses and improve patient care locally and around the globe. As part of that effort, Linda traveled to Armenia and Albania in 1997 and 1998 with the non-profit organization AmeriCares, and a speaking engagement in Rome, Italy in 2005. Linda retired in 2014 but continued her passion for education and nursing through conferences.
In addition to a celebrated nursing career, Linda had many hobbies and interests that she passionately shared with family and friends. She loved gin and tonics on the patio, knitting and giving away washcloths, astronomy and baking what were known as the "perfect chocolate chip cookie." She loved anything and everything that had to do with crows. Linda's jubilant enthusiasm for Halloween was evident in her fabulously frightening decorations and annual pumpkin carving party, for which she became quite famous.
Linda also gained local celebrity status thanks to her laundry prowess. Nicknamed "The Laundry Goddess," Linda turned the drudgery of laundry into an area of expertise. She had a "laundry sanctuary," not a laundry room. If you had a stain, the Laundry Goddess knew how to get rid of it.
After retirement, Linda's adventuresome spirit inspired extensive travel to countries, including Japan, Thailand and Europe where she enjoyed river cruises with Lance. A highlight was their visit to LaRochelle, France, her ancestral home.
Linda lived a life of service and participated in many volunteer activities, including Destination Imagination (20 years), Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush committee, various roles at the Presbyterian Church of Oronoco, Girl Scouts and the Oronoco Food Shelf.
Linda lived a life of kindness, love, inclusivity and acceptance. She ended every encounter with a hug - or a free hug coupon, redeemable from any participating human being. Hug your loved ones, hug your neighbors, hug yourself - that was Linda's way. She will be tremendously missed by those who love her.
There will be a Visitation on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 5-8 PM at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, and also one hour prior to the service. There will be a Memorial service on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 11 AM at the funeral home.
If you wish to make a donation in Linda's memory, please direct them to Ronald MacDonald House Rochester or the Rochester Reading Center.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Sorensen family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"I worked with Linda for many years @ RMH and again @ SMH. I had been the recipient of many of her loving hugs and can attest to the fact she truly loved greeting people in this fashion. I feel she is still giving of them freely. "
"When I reflect back on my over 35 years at the Mayo Clinic as an RN, my best memories were from Eisenberg 75 when Linda was my manager. We were a family, taking care of our patients and taking care of one another. Lynnelle Campeau, Sue Sherman, Mary Haag are just a few in my fond memories. We had fun at work and Linda was always there for us. I worked evenings quite frequently and we could call her at home after 10 but before 10:30 if we had any questions about staffing the next day. Linda was caring, compassionate and led us to be a great team. She lived her passion and can be a great role model for all of us. Susan Jansen"
"Lance, Siri, and Neal, My deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Linda touched so many lives at work and in the world. Think of all the good times and memories . Lane Hermanson"
"Linda taught me so much about life . She was the perfect example of how to be a kind and a good human. What a lovely soul and how lucky I was to have her right next door. "
"Linda was a lovely lady, and one of the kindest people you could ever meet, her career fit her perfectly. I adored her sense of humor . And I feel so fortunate to have known her and call her my friend. RIP my friend, you will be dearly missed. "
"What a lovely, loving, sassy soul Linda was! She added so much to our Destination Imagnation family, along with Lance and Neal. I have a treasure trove of memories of Leenda from the South's happy smile at so many of our trainings, tournaments and Globals. So much love to you all. Blessings, Pamela"
"Linda was an amazing force who touched so many life?s. There have been so many days in my career that I have asked myself what would Linda do. During my time on Peds and after she was always available and supportive. She made me a better nurse and better person. I am so sorry for your families loss. "