Dean Sorgaard

Dean Sorgaard, age 71, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Tuesday, January 23^rd, at Essentia Health Hospital in Fosston. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30^th, at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. John Ragan officiating. Interment will be in Kingo Lutheran Cemetery, Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Monday, January 29^th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. 

Dean Steven Sorgaard was born on April 18, 1952, in Fosston, Minnesota to parents Selmer and Doris (Tangen) Sorgaard. He was baptized and confirmed at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston. He attended Pine Hill Country School and then graduated from Fosston High School in 1970. After high school, he attended Bemidji State for one year and then spent one year as a “lumberjack” on the farm. He then attended college in Wahpeton, North Dakota, for two years, graduating with an electrical degree.  

Dean was united in marriage to Maxine Algaard on August 24, 1973, at Kingo Lutheran Church. After they married, they lived in Moorhead for a year while they each finished college. They then moved back to the Sorgaard Farm in Columbia Township where Dean farmed with his dad, Selmer, and his uncle, Harold, eventually taking over the farming operation. Dean and Maxine lived on the Sorgaard home place where they raised their three children, Hans, Bjorn, and Karin. Family was important to Dean and he enjoyed spending time with his brother, David, when he moved back to Fosston in recent years.

Dean enjoyed nature. The highlight of his year was deer hunting. He enjoyed fishing, especially spearing. He was very mechanical, he was able to fix machinery and almost anything else that needed repairs. When he was young he told his dad and his uncle Harold that he was going to get an old car, that had been put out to pasture, running. They were very surprised when he actually did get the old car going. 

Dean’s interest in the world was vast, and he never ceased to amaze people with his knowledge of basically any subject. He will be remembered for his quiet and clever personality, sense of humor, and thoughtfulness. He loved cooking and baking for family and friends. He was especially known for his delicious apple pies that were made with apples right from their yard.  His grandsons were always excited to go see Grandpa in the shop and he dearly loved spending time with them. To their delight, he often had a treat to offer them.  The shop also served as a cherished rendezvous for family and friends.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Maxine; three children and their partners, Hans and Katie of Fosston, Bjorn and Amanda of Fosston; and Karin and Nate of Flagstaff, AZ (currently residing in New Zealand); four grandchildren, Jasper, Iver, Haaken, and Henrik; one brother, David, of Fosston; and other relatives. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his uncle, Harold Sorgaard. 

Dean will be dearly missed.