Ralph R. Sorensen

Ralph was born in Ellensburg on January 16, 1930, the second of two sons born to John and Jennie Sorensen. His grandparents, Morris and Marie Sorensen, immigrated to the United States from Aarhus, Denmark in 1901 and settled locally in 1910, beginning a strong and continuous Sorensen family in the Kittitas Valley. Ralph was a proud member of the family and enjoyed spending the majority of his 85 years in the beautiful Badger Pocket area of the Kittitas Valley.

Ralph married Patricia A. Hattrick on Sept. 18, 1959. His love for her was deep and unconditional, and continued to shine throughout his final days. They have two daughters, Patti A. Dixon of Ellensburg and Jennifer M. (Greg) Stout of Snohomish, as well as seven grandchildren (Stephanie, Ryan, Brent, Tiffany, Drew, Cameron, and Jamie) and two great-grandchildren (Aiden and Addison).

After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, Ralph returned home to his agricultural roots and farmed for many years. During this time Ralph served as the Vice President of the Kittitas County Farm Bureau and President of the Denmark Farm Bureau, and in 1962, along with his father John and brother Henry, was named the Kittitas County Cattleman of the Year. He also served for many years on the Kittitas County Fair Board of Directors, was a long-time volunteer firefighter for Kittitas County Fire District 2, and was a member of the First Lutheran Church. Later in his career Ralph found great joy as a bus driver for the Kittitas School District; he especially enjoyed volunteering to drive for the field trips and sports travels of his grandchildren.

Ralph was a wonderful, kind man who will forever be remembered with fondness. He was always quick with a joke and loved laughing with others over a cup of coffee. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and wife. He is survived by his brother Henry Sorensen and his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous other family members.

Viewing will be held at the Steward & Williams Chapel on Thursday, June 25, from 5-7 p.m. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 26, at the First Lutheran Church in Ellensburg. Concluding service and burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the First Lutheran Church or the Ralph R. Sorensen Memorial Scholarship Fund, recently established in his honor to annually benefit a Kittitas High School student planning to attend college. Donations for the fund can be sent to 9650 Thrall Road, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Condolences for the family can be left at www.steward-williams.com.