Clare A. Sorensen

Clare Sorensen was an honest, hardworking, peaceable man who lived his life for the good of his family and friends. Though a perfectionist and highly analytical, he maintained a kindness and wit that put others at ease and let them have fun. With his signature hat, sly smile and unique sneeze, Clare delighted in life and lived it fully. Clare was born at home in Bridgeton Township, Michigan on January 30, 1920. America was just emerging from the First World War and beginning to rebuild its economy. A nation and its people were hopeful. This was true of parents Soren and Caroline (Olsen) Sorensen who raised their three childrenEdwin, Bernice, Clarewith the values and skills that go along with working a vegetable farm. Throughout his life, Clare retained his enthusiasm for gardening and the great outdoors. Completing elementary school, Clare attended Fremont High School, where he learned to play the cello as a member of the schools music groups. He graduated in 1938 and went on to Michigan Technological University in the states beautiful upper peninsula. However, after his first year, Clare returned home to help on the family farm. In 1941, he took a job with Bennett Pump (gas pump maker) in Muskegon, but a more eventful beginning took place that same year. In November of 41, Clares friends, Jerry and Ruth Thompson, set up a blind date for him with the lovely Marge Carrier. It was love at first sight, so perhaps Clare took no notice of the movie the foursome went to see. Clare and Marge dated for the next seven months before they decided to get married. On June 5, 1942, the loving couple made their vows at her parents home and began their new life together in a little rented house. Thankfully, Clare and Marge had each other to depend on when lifes events stole upon their lives. His father, Soren, died in 1942 and Clare was devastatedthey had shared so much together. In 1943, he returned to Michigan Tech but was drafted into the Army during World War II. Clare dutifully served his country and was honorably discharged in 1945. Fortunately, Clare returned to Michigan Tech after his discharge and graduated in 1948. By then, he and Marge had begun their family: Bill was born in 1946 and Kathy in 1949. That year was bitter-sweet. While they welcomed their second child, moved to Fruitport, Michigan and built a new home on Spring Lake, they were also saddened with the death of Clares mother. His children would not have the privilege of knowing grandparents on Clares side, but the importance of family was evident in the way the Sorensens enjoyed their life together. Three more children joined their older brother and sister: Carolyn was born in 1953, Mark in 1957 and Tom in 1961. Memories were created for the whole family with camping trips to Porcupine Mountains, Ludington State Park, Tahquamenon Falls and more. Then there were Thanksgiving dinners that always took place at Aunt Bernices home, and every Christmas at the Sorensens were made all the more special with Clares homemade gifts. He was a talented woodworker who made furniture and artifacts for his family. His church was also the beneficiary of his handicraft. He built a storage cabinet for choir robes and a wooden sunburst to accent the cross in the church library. Clares skills were as grand as his generosity. Clare was a jack of all tradeshe could fix anything and was always ready to help others. Additionally, he was an excellent mechanic, restoring a 1966 T- Bird and a 1964 Mustang and keeping his water crafts humming. Clares first boat was a 1956 Lyman with a 35hp Evinrude motor that he took on many-a fishing trip. He went with his family to Drummond Island or Lake Leelanau for boating and fishing. In 1970, he upgraded to a beautiful Sea Ray boatit was like a Cadillac. A highlight for a fisherman like Clare came in a trip to Alaska in 1971, when he fished off an 80-foot boat that his cousin owned. What a great adventure! When Clare retired in 1979, after 26 years as a mechanical engineer with Gardner Denver Corporation, he was well prepared to enjoy his leisure. For Clare, leisure did not mean idleness. At the beginning of his retirement he built a huge pole barn and continued to maintain a large flower and vegetable garden that yielded plenty of produce for canning. He liked landscaping and enjoyed watching backyard birds. However, nothing spiked his blood pressure higher than seeing squirrels in his bird feeder or rabbits in his roses. By 1980, Clare and Marge were empty-nesters and he went back to work until he retired again in 1987. In 1986, they had made the decision to sell their home on the lake and move to a smaller house. Though their children were out of the house, Clare and Marge still had plenty of activity in their lives. Clare was a member and one-time secretary of the Fruitport Lions Club. He and Marge attended Fruitport Congregational United Church of Christ and participated in village life. In 1997, they were honored as Fruitport Old Fashioned Days King and Queen. Along with their good friendsGeorge and Hazel Noren, Dr. James and Eunice LucieClare and Marge shared many interests, including Cribbage and Pinochle. Clare also enjoyed music and the lifetime of pleasure it brought him. When Clare became a grandfather, he couldnt have been more proud and grateful for the many years he had with his grandchildren. He had survived bladder cancer and made a full recovery from surgery in 1976. With decreasing mobility due to arthritis and even after suffering a stroke in 2002, he took to carving small figurines, or caricatures. Clare asserted his independence well into his 80s. Tragically, a serious fall fractured his neck, and Clare went into Poppen House hospice care. He died on Friday, April 4, 2008 at the age of 88. Clares beloved family will miss him dearly and forever remember the 150-pound, 5-foot, 8-inch, blue-eyed giant of a man for all the love and joy he brought to their lives. Mr. Clare A. Sorensen is survived by his wife, Marge of Fruitport; 3 sons, Dr. Bill (Charlyn) Sorensen of Ann Arbor, Mark (Mary) Sorensen and Tom (Sandy) Sorensen both of Fruitport; 2 Daughters, Kathy Sorensen of Muskegon, Carolyn (Mike) Lemler of Fruitport; 12 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 2 nephews, Larry (Phyllis) DeYoung of CA, Lee (Jereine) DeYoung of Muskegon. Mr. Sorensen was preceded in death by his brother, Edwin Sorensen and sister, Bernice DeYoung. A service to celebrate Mr. Sorensens life will be held Tuesday, April 8, 2008, 11:00 AM at Fruitport Congregational U.C.C. with Pastor Don Wood officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to meet the family on Monday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to a charity of your choice. You may visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory of Mr. Sorensen or to sign the on-line guest registry.