Phoebe A. Sorenson

Phoebe Ann Lindsay Sorenson passed away peacefully on February 9, 2018, after a long illness. Born on June 7, 1926, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Ralph and Gertrude (Wartenweiler) Lindsay, she was a 1948 graduate of Beloit College. She attended the University of Chicago as a graduate student in Social Work and took additional graduate coursework in Psychology at UW-La Crosse.

She was a licensed and certified social worker with extensive experience in rehabilitation, case management, teaching, support groups, and community outreach, working for many years with visually impaired and elderly clients.

A determined, lifelong advocate for environmental issues, she was a past President of the Coulee Region Audubon Society; helped found the Hixon Forest Nature Center; served on DNR’s Wild Resources Advisory Council; and was involved in La Crosse River Marsh Preservation efforts.

Phoebe Sorenson was a long-standing Girl Scout of over 60 years.  She was honored with the Thanks Badge in recognition of her Bicentennial programming for the Riverland Girl Scout Council.

A long-time member of English Lutheran Church, she served on many committees, including Social Ministry and Global Missions. She served as chaplain for the La Crosse chapter of the Vietnam Veterans/VFW. A creative and inspiring mother, she shared with her children her love of the outdoors and commitment to social justice.

Phoebe Sorenson was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Carol (Lindsay) Connors; her brother Major General Nathan J. Lindsay, USAF (Ret.); and her beloved husband of 47 years, Harold A. Sorenson.

She is survived by her daughters: Andrea (Bob) Christofferson, of Poynette, Wisconsin, and Dr. Karen Sorenson, of Clarksville, Tennessee; her granddaughter, Sonja Marie Hanchar of Vancouver, Washington; and her many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Bethany Riverside Nursing Home and Dr. David Momont for their nurturing care of Phoebe.

Services will be held on Friday, February 16, 2018, at English Lutheran Church, 1509 King Street in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held at the Church at 10:00 a.m., with services to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Coulee Region Audubon Society or Lutheran World Relief.