Duane "Buddy" Sorum

Duane “Buddy” Sorum, 98, Hilllsboro, ND, died peacefully Thursday, April 2, 2020, at Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center. Duane Wesley Sorum was born March 8, 1922, in Hillsboro, ND, to Elmer and Anna (Sundseth) Sorum. He was baptized in Halstad, MN, and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Hillsboro. On November 17, 1949, he married Florence Peterson at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and for nearly 67 years, they were an inseparable team until Florence’s passing in 2016. Duane attended Hillsboro Public Schools and was a lifelong resident of Hillsboro. Previous to marriage he worked for Ole Evans in the grocery store in Hillsboro, and in his late teens Duane worked with his family installing power poles that brought electricity to the rural areas of Texas. With his 1948 Jeep, one-row Woods corn picker, and Ford tractor he worked with his Uncle Ole Sundseth on the farm near Halstad, MN. For a time he worked in the bulk fuel oil delivery with his brother, Arnold. In 1950 Duane opened Bud’s Standard Service along old Highway 81 in Hillsboro and managed the business there until relocating to the station off I-29. He retired in 1983. Duane loved gardening and growing flowers, and his beloved apple trees and grape vines were always a passion that would put a smile on his face, especially when he could share them with others. He loved to go camping and skiing into his 70s. When he retired he devoted many hours to woodworking making rocking horses for the grandkids, tables, rocking chairs and many other projects. He loved seeing his kids and their families, grandkids and great grandkids. If a friend or relative stopped by coffee was always served along with a cookie or treat. Summer was the best, because then the visit moved to the patio. He had a smile for everyone. Even at 98 people commented on his boundless energy. Survivors include; his sister, Idelle Shull, Gresham, OR; his sister-in-law, Ruth Siegert, Hillsboro; his children – Elizabeth (Scott) Carpenter of Park Falls, WI; Anita (Dennis) Jurgens of Milford, CT; Kathleen (Zane) Parks of Lincoln, NE; Kristi (David) Pederson of Boise, ID; and Paul Sorum of Osakis, MN; his nine grandchildren – Lora Carpenter-Janike (Pat) of Lincoln, NE; Gwen Pritchard (Shawn) of Duluth, MN; Meredith Ross (Jordan) of Missoula, MT; Ethan Parks (Kelsey) of Lincoln, NE; Krista Sheets (Nathanael) of Lincoln, NE; Andrea (John) Martin of Nashville, TN; Michael Pederson of Hendersonville, TN; Luke Sorum (Kate Knutson) of Grand Forks, ND; and Mara Otts (Mitchell) of Alexandria, MN. Also surviving are his fifteen great-grandchildren – Jazmine Bergeron and Kendall Sorum; Lucas, Parker and Elliot Janike; Greta, Lydia and Veronica Pritchard; Keelie, Ayviann and Odison Parks; Peter and Georgia Ross; and Noah and Beckham Otts; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Sorum; parents, Elmer and Anna Sorum; brothers, Kenneth and Arnold Sorum, and infant sister, Anna Mae Sorum. The Sorum family recognizes and appreciates all the good help from Duane’s neighbors, family and friends, too many to name individually, that allowed him to stay in his home these past few years. Special thanks to Dr. Breen and the caring staff at Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center for their competent and compassionate care during his brief hospitalization. The family has requested that memorials be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Media Fund. Services will be held at a later date.