Duane Sorensen, 66, of Spencer, passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Services are pending at this time with Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Duane Lee Sorensen was born on August 5, 1958, to Donald and Jaqueline (O’Hearn) Sorensen in Riverside, CA. He graduated in 1976 from Spencer High School, in Spencer, IA. He worked at Eatons Corporation for a short time, then Duane proudly enlisted in the US Air Force. While he was in the Air Force, he earned his associates degree in accounting. During his 23 year career in the Air Force, he was known as the Top Recruiter where he served in Alamogordo, NM; Lincoln, NE and Coralville, IA. He retired in 2005 as a TSgt. Duane was united in marriage to Terese Leary in 1984. To this union, their daughter Ashley was born.
In his younger years, he enjoyed playing baseball and fastpitch softball where he was the catcher for Team Budweiser in Spencer. He made lifelong friends, may have had a little too much fun and earned the nickname “Spade” that stuck with him until his death. He had a wonderful sense of humor, maybe a little raunchy, but that was Duane. He was known as the “fun” cousin and always found a way to keep his parents on their toes.
He is survived by his daughter Ashley Marie Sorensen of Okoboji, IA; step children Wes and Dawn; sisters Jane Sanford of Ankeny, IA; and Dawn (Chuck) Haberthur of Granbury, TX; brother Jon (Fran) Sorensen of Show Low, AZ; two granddaughters Patrice and Tillie; nieces Nicole (Nathan) Norgaard, Liz (Scott) VonHagen, Becca (Joe) Farley, Allison (Sam) Martin, nephew Brandon Haberthur, five great nieces and one great nephew; his loyal pups Buddy and Odin and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins
The family would like to give a special thank you to his cousin Ann and her husband Danny Dodge for all the care, transportation, and home improvements they provided for Duane. Their generosity will never be forgotten.