GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. | Wesley D. Sorensen, 94, died on Feb. 22, 2017, in Greenwood Village. He was born Dec. 31, 1922, in Ames, NE. At an early age the family moved from Ames to central Nebraska, first to Dannebrog and then to Boelus where Wesley graduated from Boelus High School, Class of 1941.

Following graduation, he attended St. Paul, Nebraska Business College for a short time before going to work for the Civil Service in Washington, DC, and North Newark, N.J. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 26th Infantry Division in Europe. When the war was over, he joined his family in Grand Island, NE, where they had relocated during the war. He and Gene F. Plambeck were married Sept. 17, 1946. To this union were born three children: Larry, Nancy and Sally.

He was employed by Nash Finch Wholesale Grocery Company his entire career of 42 years, January 1946 until 1988 in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. The last 18 years before he retired he was the branch manager of the Rapid City (SD) Distribution Center.

Wes was an active Mason for over 50 years. He was a Past Grand Master, Grand Trustee Emeritus of the Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of South Dakota, Past Grand Patron and Grand Treasurer Emeritus of the Grand Chapter of South Dakota Order of Eastern Star, Past Potentate of Naja Shriners, Emeritus Representative to the Imperial Council of the Shrine of North America, Past President of the Rapid City Shrine Club, and Past Director of the Royal Order of Jestors.

Wes lived a rich and full life. He enjoyed his family and loved to spend time with them playing dominoes with the kids and grandkids. He liked the outdoors — camping with family and friends, fishing and pheasant hunting. He liked to cut firewood and he really enjoyed a fire at home. For years, he fed hundreds of ducks and would drive to eastern South Dakota to buy a pickup load of corn. He always looked forward to Masonic gatherings to socialize and after retirement enjoyed coffee and breakfast with his Nash Finch coworkers.

In October 2015, he and Gene moved to Colorado to be close to family. It was a hard decision to make since they had lived in South Dakota most of their working lives.

He is survived by his wife, Gene; his son, Larry (Nancy) of Littleton; daughter, Nancy (Paul) Fixen of Brookings, SD; daughter, Sally (Jeff) Tichota of Centennial; a brother, Lazern of Brownsville, TX; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Leo (Lyle) Sorensen.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m.

Services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, at First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Greg Kroger officiating.

Interment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with military honors rendered by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota Army National Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Naja Shrine Travel Fund or First United Methodist Church.