Thomas Clinton Sorenson, 84, passed peacefully on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
Tom was born on May 29, 1937 to Clifford and Beulah (Sam) Sorenson in Racine. He grew up and went to high school in Racine. The Sorenson family emigrated from Denmark to Racine and was actively involved in several Danish bakeries, where Tom learned the bakery trade as a teen. He was a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard as well as the Army Reserve for eight years.
After his graduation from Washington Park high school, Tom began his career with Massey Fergusen, then later Case Corporation as a pioneer in computer programming. His next move was to Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee, where he was an operations executive. Later in his career, he joined Bentley Packaging as Chief Operations Officer. During his tenure, the company experienced exponential growth.
Tom and his young family moved to Union Grove in 1968, where he was very active in both civic organizations and local government. He held leadership positions with the Lions club, snowmobile club, and served several terms as village trustee, before becoming Village President.
Tom and Bonnie were married in North Cape on May 26, 1978 and brought together a blended family. In addition to their time in Union Grove, they spent a great deal of time at Evergreen Campsites in Wild Rose. Evergreen Campsites was their happy place where they made many lifelong friends.
Tom and Bonnie loved to golf. So it was an ideal decision to build a retirement home in the Shalamar Creek Community of Lakeland, Florida. They had many happy years together in Florida and enjoyed many close friends in that community.
Tom is survived by his loving wife Bonnie; their children, Cherie (Don) Meredith of Union Grove, Kaj (Jodie) Sorenson of Appleton, Patti (Steve) Johnson, Mike Johnson, Todd Johnson, and Tommy (Isabel) Johnson; grandchildren, Heather (Chad) Meredith, Matt Meredith, Luke (Kara) Meredith, Carly (Nate) Shapiro, Andrew (Samantha) Sorenson, Margo (Brett) Rozek, Megan (Patrick) Kendall, Miranda Johnson, and Geraldine Arredondo; great-grandchildren, Naomi Shapiro, Brooks Thomas Sorenson, Finley and Kit Meredith, and Ryker and Russell Rozek. Tom’s large family was the light of his life, and his eyes would light up when he spoke about them. Tom is also survived by his brothers Joel (Pat) Sorenson and Doug (Carol) Schwarze; many brothers and sisters-in-law; special friends and caregivers Angela and Mary; as well as many friends.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Beulah and Cliff Sorenson; brother, Michael (Pete) Sorenson; mother and father-in-law, Robert and Joyce Pfaff; son, Steve Johnson; and granddaughter Cassandra Johnson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Tom and Bonnie’s residence at Shalamar Creek, on Friday, March 11, 2022. Friends may call between 2 and 7 p.m. An additional Celebration of Life is planned for June in Wisconsin with details to be determined.
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