Phyllis Sorenson, 96, Valley City, ND passed away at Maryhill Manor in Enderlin, ND on December 21, 2020.  A private family service will be held on Monday, December 28 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kathryn, ND.  Burial will be in Sheyenne Valley Cemetery, rural Kathryn.  Because of COVID 19 regulations, masks are required in the church and seating is limited.  The funeral service will be live streamed and archived along with her obituary at www.lerudschuldt.com.  The family is planning a larger celebration of Phyllis’ life at a later date as well.

Phyllis Maybelle Flach was born January 20, 1924 on the family farm near Valley City, ND to Alexander and Sophia (Anderson) Flach.  She grew up near Hastings and Sand Prairie where she attended school.  She graduated from Hastings High School and went on to earn her teaching certificate at Valley City Teachers College.  She taught in a number of area schools including Green, Oriska, Marion and Kathryn.

On February 23, 1945, Phyllis married Donald Sorenson in Valley City.  They made their home in rural Barnes County.  He was deployed with the Army and she continued teaching.  When he returned, they started their family.  Before retiring, Phyllis had quit teaching and became a ward clerk at Mercy Hospital in Valley City.

She enjoyed cooking and baking, known to have made the best homemade buns and chokecherry jelly.  Other activities she liked were fishing and camping.

Phyllis belonged to Spring Creek Lutheran Church in Hastings as a young woman eventually joining Sheyenne Valley Lutheran in Kathryn and then St. Paul’s Lutheran after Sheyenne Valley closed.  She was active in Ladies Aide, where she spent countless hours quilting, and Hastings Homemakers.  Her green thumb was evident seeing her many houseplants and the gardens she grew.

Phyllis is survived by her sons, David (Brenda) and Earl; daughters, Reine DuChateau and Carole (Joe) Wheeler; 7 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother and sister-in-law, Curtis and Lucille Flach; grandson, Eric Bakken; great grandson, Hunter Wheeler; and great granddaughter, Natalia Wheeler.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to Sheyenne Valley Cemetery.

The funeral service will be live streamed and archived along with her obituary at www.lerudschuldt.com.  The family is planning a larger celebration of Phyllis’ life at a later date as well. Lerud Mathias Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.