Sorensen, Al Burrows

Al Burrows Sorensen, 92, of Cedar Rapids, died April 7, 2011, at Hallmar Care Center (formerly of Sutherland Square) after a long illness. As per his wishes, there will be a jazz memorial service at First Presbyterian Church on Monday, April 18, at 3 p.m., with the Rev. Ted Miller officiating. Inurnment will be in Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories Mausoleum. Military honors by Iowa Army National Guard.

He is survived by his wife, Sara of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Mary (R. Mark) Weems of Cedar Rapids; brothers-in-law, Dr. Vince Bacino of El Cajon, Calif., and Nick (Sally) Bacino of St. Louis, Mo.; sister-in-law, Bev (Junior) Schneider of Manchester; grandchildren, Jacob (Trisha) Weems of Cedar Rapids, Daniel Weems of Minneapolis, Austin Weems, currently attending Iowa State University, Rachel Weems and her fiance Andrew Perez, attending the University of Iowa; four great-grandchildren, Nieces Barbara (LeRoy) Berg of Potosi, Wis., Sharon (Michael) Miller of Solon, Nancy (Kevin) Welu of Cedar Rapids and Susan (Dennis) Tinker of Johnston; nephew, Bruce (Margie) Schneider of Manchester; and many cousins and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Maryon Hadley; and first wife, Virginia Schneider Sorensen.

Al was born April 28, l9l8, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of Sorn and Maude (Burrows) Sorensen. Al attended Iowa State University and played football, leaving to play professional football with the Chicago Cardinals, and later going back to Iowa State. Al received a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Scranton. He served as a sergeant in the Army in World War II from 1943-1946, receiving the Bronze Star and also played Army football.

Al married Virginia Schneider of Manchester in 1941; she passed away in l986. In l988, he married Sara Bacino Peiffer in Cedar Rapids.

Al worked at Collins Radio for seven years, at Temco Aircraft Corp. (Texas) and at Univac (St. Paul, Minn.) as an engineer. In 1962, he began working for McNally Industries, Inc., Grantsburg, Wis., eventually purchasing the company in 1968 and serving as president and CEO until retiring in l983, remaining on the board there for several more years. After retirement, he served as a consultant for In Tolerance Contract Manufacturing.

Memberships: DeMolay, Sigma Pi fraternity, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Shriners Jesters, C.R. Optimist Club, life member of American Society for Mechanical Engineers, American Legion of Minnesota, honorary member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids, member of Elmcrest Country Club, former board member of Tanager Place.

A former Cyclone lineman, he supported the Athletic Department of Iowa State University providing football scholarships. He served on the Iowa State University Athletic Directors Advisory Board and was very active with Iowa State Athletics up until his illness.

Al and Sara were named the 1993 Cyclones of the Year by the Cedar Valley Cyclone Club and ISU's Athletic Department CY's Favorite Alums in 1999.

He loved fishing, reading, working in his shop, traveling, anything related to the Iowa State Cyclones and he especially loved his condo on Lake Namekagon, Wis., and in his earlier years, his cabin at Lake Delhi.

A very kind and generous man, he touched many lives. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, uncle and friend to many.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Hallmar and Hospice of Mercy for their excellent care of Al.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to ISU Foundation, Hospice of Mercy, Community Health Free Clinic or the Community Fund to Rebuild Lake Delhi.

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