Mardelle Sorensen, 87, of Bridgewater

Celebration of Life Services:  Will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at The United Methodist Church in Fontanelle with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held following the burial at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Monday, May 22, 2023, at the Fontanelle United Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Memorials:  May be directed to the Mardelle Sorensen Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

   Mardelle Lois Sorensen was born on May 14, 1936, the daughter of Elmer and Geraldine (Anderson) Kriens northwest of Fontanelle, Iowa.  She passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at her home in Bridgewater, Iowa, at the age of 87.
   Mardelle’s father died when she was four years old.  The family moved to Fontanelle and she attended Fontanelle Schools.  She was homecoming queen and graduated in 1954.  She worked as a telephone operator for United Telephone Company in Greenfield.  Also key punch operator at Farm Bureau in Des Moines.  She married Oliver Sorensen on February 18, 1956, at the Congregational Church in Fontanelle.  They came to the farm in 1960 and they worked side by side for nearly forty years and they retired and moved into Bridgewater.  
   She was baptized in the Congregational Church, held office in Sunday School and Mayflower Guild, Sunday School teacher and on the church board.  She enjoyed their cruises to Alaska and Hawaii.  She lived by these words: Love, Faith, Trust and Forgiveness.
   She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Marlene Sunds and husband Warren.
   She is survived by her husband, Oliver Sorensen of Bridgewater; daughter, Janell Stender and husband Rick of Bridgewater; son, Robert Sorensen and friend Joyce Lovely of Fontanelle; three grandchildren, Jacob Stender and wife Rachel, Brett Stender and wife Katie and Michael Stender and friend Hollie Perrin; four great grandchildren, Alexis, Jackson, Oliver and Clara; other relatives and friends.