Earl Sorby

earl sorby

Earl “Babe” Allan Sorby, Fargo, ND, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at his home.  He was born on March 5, 1943 to Melvin and Lestie (Oas) Sorby in Moorhead, MN.  He grew up in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School.  Earl then attended NDSU where he earned a degree in mathematics.  Earl was employed at Branick Industries for over 40 years, and retired as a senior designer.

In 1964 he was united in marriage to Yvonne Christianson in Horace, ND.  The couple made their home in Fargo where they raised their two children.

Earl was an avid golfer and was on bowling and softball leagues for many years.  He was a loving and generous father and grandfather.  He cherished the time he spent with his friends from the Moorhead VFW.

He is survived by his children, Eric (Lori) Sorby, Rona Sorby and Kristopher Burke; siblings, Duane (Bev) Sorby, Celia Anderson, Gloria (Gerald) Engen, and Virginia (John) Anderson; grandchildren, Alex, Mia, Blake, LaKeshia, and Michael; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Dorothy, Margaret, and Dennis.

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  1. Fargo ND

    Eric and Rona,

    We were sorry to read about Earl’s passing. Our sympathies and prayers are sent to your families. I remember Earl always stopped by our table when it was girls’ night out and talked about you kids. We have such wonderful memories of those days when we \”shared\” the third floor apartments. Hugs to you both. It is hard to lose a Dad, but his memories will be with you always.

    Connie
    Mike (Elen);

  2. fargo I was so sad to hear of Earl’s passing. Earl dated my mom when I was a little girl and I have so many fond memories of that time. Prayers to Eric and Rina during this difficult time.;

  3. Eagle Lake MinnesotaSaddened by the loss of another classmate from Moorhead. We grew up on the North side together, graduated together. My heart goes out the The Sorby family.;

  4. Fargo ND

    Eric and Rona,

    We are sorry for your loss. Our sympathies and prayers to your family. It is hard to lose a father and no words can really express how your lives are affected at this time. We send hugs to you and want you to know we are thinking of Earl and your family.

    Connie LaCroix
    Mike (Elen) Lunde;

  5. So sorry to here of earl’s passing my thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.I will miss spending time with earl at the vfw having a few drinks telling jokes and taking turns singing kareoke,i will miss you my friend RIP.;

  6. Silverdale WAOh, Babe ….I wish we had stayed in touch better than we did. I was so sorry to hear about your passing away. You are my \”little\” brother. I would have loved to talk about our fun times when we were kids. We slept upstairs at Mom and Dad’s. When the lights were off and I was about to go to sleep, here you would come from your room crawling on your hands and knees and scared the heck out of me. Then we would end up laughing. Mom would yell up the stairs to us to quit the noise and get to sleep! I doubt if that made us stop laughing. We went to swimming lessons with Sandra and Pat Moore one summer. I missed one time and you came home and said next week if we didn’t jump into the 12 feet deep they would push us in. All of you learned to swim. I didn’t. You will be missed. God bless you. I love you. ;

  7. Austin TxCondolences from the Eide family Nick, Judy, Barbara, David, Debby and Joni. We were neighbors for many years and are so very sorry for your loss.;

  8. Horace N.DI remember babysitting also for Eric when they lived in Horace up above the old restaurant and it would be so scary because of those long stairs to get up to the apartment. I also remember when Earl would stand outside while I would run home after babysitting. I only lived across the back yards. He was such a good looking man. Rest in Peace;

  9. Longmont COSo sorry to read about Earl’s passing in the Fargo Forum today. When dad was alive, we would run into Earl at the VFW in Moorhead and singing Karaoke, what a character he was. I also remember being a little girl and knocking on he and Vonnie’s door just to see him…he was a good looking man! My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of sadness. ;

  10. So many great memories of Christmas and Fourth of July at Grandma and Grandpa Sorby’s house. Great times with family, so much fun and love at these gatherings. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Eric and Rona, and with your families also. Much love to all.;

  11. Fergus Falls MinnesotaJust wanted to say that I am going to miss you Babe. I was up last night for a long time remembering a lot of the good times together. The times you walked on your hands from the kitchen to the living room and back and forth. Babe was in gymnastics in high school. Also the times we had fights I would always grab your pocket on your shirt and rip it off. It made you so mad. You were out numbered by all the girls in the house. You were so handsome in your ROTC uniform in college.I have a lot of happy memories of our growing up togerther that there is not enough time or space to say it all. Just want to say Eric and Rona how sorry we are about your dad. We love you and may God bless you in your time of sorrow. Uncle John and Auntie Gini;

  12. West Fargo ND

    Earl will always be etched in my mind as the song The Duke of Earl as my cousin Karen and I would sing that back in the day when good looking Earl was dating Vonnie. I also babysat Eric when they lived in Horace when he was a baby. I always liked Earl and \”Eric and Rona you look so much like your Dad. I am so sorry for your loss and I will still think of him every time my oldies channel plays \”Duke of Earl\”. ;

  13. Moorhead MNMay you days of sorrow be short, for God has taken the Beloved Earl home where there is no need for tears. Rest in peace!;

  14. Aberdeen SDI remember all of us getting together at Grandma and Grandpa Sorby’s house for Christmas and Fourth of July in the back yard. So many good memories of laughter and family. So much love and fun. My thoughts and prayers are with you Eric and Rona and your families. Much love;

  15. Moorhead I am so sorry to hear about Earl. Although I have never met him, I have known his son for many years and seeing what a caring and warm person Eric is, is a tribute to Earl. Eric, I am deeply sorry.;

  16. Fargo ND

    He will be very missed!!!
    The Dilworth VFW wont be the same with out you.You will always be in my thoughts and prayers;

  17. Ankeny IAi have so many memories of visits when I was young to Grandma and Grandpa’s house and \”uncle Bitudie\” would come by with cousins Eric and Rona. Such fun times! There are so many memories you two and your families have with your dad. Hang on to those and cherish them, even as your miss him. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. ;

  18. Fargo ND

    Eric and Family,
    You and your family are in our thoughts and our prayers during this difficult time. Your Dad was a good friend and my golf buddy, he will be missed.
    Jeff and Becki Upton;


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