C. Neil Sorensen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on September 18, 2024, surrounded by family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and devotion. Born on the kitchen table in Palmyra, Utah, on June 25, 1945, to Wallace and Tressa Sorensen, Neil was the fifth of six children.

He married his sweetheart, Susan Jayne Burt, on September 12, 1968, in the Salt Lake Utah Temple. Their love story began in Washington, D.C., despite both living just six miles apart in Utah.

Neil dedicated 12 years to the National Guard Engineer group and actively served his community through various organizations, including the Strawberry Water User Association, the Kiwanis club, Westfield Irrigation, and Lakeside Irrigation Boards. (He served as chairman or president of many of those organizations.) He believed wholeheartedly in the power of service, often saying, “If you’re not serving others, you are not living life.” Even in his later years, he cherished his ministering calling, bringing joy to families by delivering turkeys at Christmas time.

Neil’s greatest loves were his faith, family, and farm. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Neil held numerous callings, including serving in various bishoprics, elder’s quorum presidencies, and young men’s organizations. His involvement in a cherished study group led to lifelong friendships that brought him great joy. His most cherished role was serving in the temple. He completed two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: the first in the Eastern Atlantic States and the second with his wife in the Colorado South mission.

Family always brought a smile to Neil’s face. He had a deep love for his family and would never let anyone leave without him saying the words, “I love you.”

Neil loved to travel with his eternal companion and together they conquered the world. Whether it was going in their camping trailer or on a cruise ship, there was always something new to see or someone to learn about. This added to the many friends and lifelong impressions he would make throughout his life, Neil was always eager to connect with others and learn their stories. In his love of traveling never would he return without a story of someone new he had met and something interesting about their life.

Neil’s love of the farm was evident in his journals, which detailed his lifelong connection to agriculture. He began farming in the era of horses and experienced the transition to modern farming technologies, including using drones to spray his wheat. His appreciation for the land and the work it required shaped his life and legacy.

His career began as a mechanic, often helping his mother fix equipment on the farm. He later worked at A&H before transitioning to Scott Machinery, where he started as a mechanic and
eventually became a salesman, eventually retiring from M&R Equipment.

Neil is preceded in death by his parents, Tressa and Wallace Sorensen; his in-laws, Harriett and Taylor Burt; sisters Viola (Ray) Betts, Charlotte (Ray) Mecham, and Duane Haskell; and brothers-in-law Rodney (Yvonne) Burt and Kent (Glenna) Burt.

He is survived by his loving wife, Susan Sorensen; children Brad (Kim) Sorensen, Laurel (Kyle) Spencer, Jeremy (Tiffanie) Sorensen, and Amy (Russell) Cook; 24 grandchildren; 25 great- grandchildren; siblings Ludean Haskell, John (Saundra) Sorensen, and Lorna (Dennis) Olson; brother-in-law Bryan (Lynn) Burt; and many nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to ICare for the tender care they provided to Neil.

Funeral Details:
Viewing: Monday, September 23, from 6-8 PM at the Palmyra Ward Building
Funeral Service: Tuesday, September 24, with viewing from 10-10:45 AM and the service at 11:00 AM
Interment: Springville Evergreen Cemetery

Neil Sorensen will be remembered for his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ our Savior, deep love for his family, and commitment to serving others. Our cherished memories of him bring us joy.

Please return here on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 prior to 11:00 a.m. and click on the link below to watch the livestream service of Neil's funeral.

Livestream Link: Neil's Funeral Service