Merl Carl Sorensen, 88, passed away at his home at Savannah Pines in Lincoln, NE on March 20, 2015. Merl was born September 5th , 1926 in Palmyra, Nebraska the youngest of three children, Eileen Lamb and Esther Sporhase born to Christian and Bertha (Rockenbach) Sorensen. Merl attended school at Palmyra and upon graduation joined the Navy where he served on the USS Lexington aircraft carrier in the Pacific theater during WWII as a machinist and Fireman First Class from 1944-1946. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Merl returned to Palmyra where he worked briefly for his father and then started running Sorensen Machine Works on his own. Merl married Gladys Jean Wilhelm also from Palmyra on January 11, 1947. Three children were born to his union, Merl James (Jim), Robert Alan (Bob), and Kathy Carlene. Merl was a 45 year member of the Palmyra Presbyterian Church, a 50 year member of the Masonic Order Union Lodge #287, a 40 year member of the Palmyra Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Fire Chief for 29 years, a 70 year member of the American Legion Post #195 and a member of the Palmyra Rosewood cemetery board for many years. He was very civic minded and enjoyed working with the community. As a respected business man, Merl was an auto mechanic and blacksmith and did a wide variety of repairs for farmers and townspeople in Palmyra and surrounding communities. After working 44 years at "The Shop" he retired, so that he and Gladys could do some traveling and spent the winters in Yuma, AZ. Not to be idle, Merl spent the summers mowing Rosewood cemetery, finally giving that up at age 84.

Merl is survived by two children Kathy Sorensen of Lincoln, NE and son Bob & Natalie Sorensen of Pinedale, WY, daughter-in-law Judy Sorensen of Keller, TX, Seven Grandchildren: Stacy & Larry Lovell of Bennet, NE, Nicki Popov of Austin, TX, Paul & Kim Sorensen of Spring, TX, Annette & Curtis Zaage of Lowell, AR, Jeanette & Justin Potter of Centerton, AR, Kim & Dave Morgan of Morresville, NC, Tom & Angie Brinkman of Roca, NE, and 14 great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents Christian and Bertha (Rockenbach) Sorensen, his sisters Eileen (Sorensen) Lamb and Esther (Sorensen) Sporhase, his wife Gladys Jean (Wilhelm), son Merl James (Jim) Sorensen and granddaughter Jennifer Jean English.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. at the Palmyra Presbyterian church, with burial to follow at Rosewood Cemetery. Pastor Steven Piper officiating.

Visitation will be March 24, 2015 in Syracuse at the funeral home from 9 A.M. until 9 P.M. with family greeting friends from 6-8 P.M.

Memorials are suggested to the Palmyra Presbyterian Church, Palmyra Fire Department, Palmyra Senior Center or Palmyra Rosewood Cemetery.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE 402-269-2441