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Obituary
On May 13, 2022, Linda Diane Sorensen (Richards) gently left this world. Linda loved fiercely, cared deeply and welcomed everyone with a hug.

Linda was born April 6,1949 in Minneapolis, MN. She is survived by Lance Sorensen, her spouse of 50 years; daughter Siri and her husband Bjorn Rolvaag (grandsons Espen and Halvor); son Neal; and siblings, Roger, Suzanne, Paul, Bobbi and Mark. She was preceded by her loving parents, Milton and Ruth Richards.

During her 36 years as a nurse at Mayo Clinic, Linda was dedicated to her patients and to supporting her colleagues. As the Pediatric Nurse Supervisor for the Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's hospital, she helped found the Mayo Clinic Pediatric Infusion Therapy Center and worked to further education for pediatric nurses and improve patient care locally and around the globe. As part of that effort, Linda traveled to Armenia and Albania in 1997 and 1998 with the non-profit organization AmeriCares, and a speaking engagement in Rome, Italy in 2005. Linda retired in 2014 but continued her passion for education and nursing through conferences.

In addition to a celebrated nursing career, Linda had many hobbies and interests that she passionately shared with family and friends. She loved gin and tonics on the patio, knitting and giving away washcloths, astronomy and baking what were known as the "perfect chocolate chip cookie." She loved anything and everything that had to do with crows. Linda's jubilant enthusiasm for Halloween was evident in her fabulously frightening decorations and annual pumpkin carving party, for which she became quite famous.

Linda also gained local celebrity status thanks to her laundry prowess. Nicknamed "The Laundry Goddess," Linda turned the drudgery of laundry into an area of expertise. She had a "laundry sanctuary," not a laundry room. If you had a stain, the Laundry Goddess knew how to get rid of it.

After retirement, Linda's adventuresome spirit inspired extensive travel to countries, including Japan, Thailand and Europe where she enjoyed river cruises with Lance. A highlight was their visit to LaRochelle, France, her ancestral home.

Linda lived a life of service and participated in many volunteer activities, including Destination Imagination (20 years), Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush committee, various roles at the Presbyterian Church of Oronoco, Girl Scouts and the Oronoco Food Shelf.

Linda lived a life of kindness, love, inclusivity and acceptance. She ended every encounter with a hug - or a free hug coupon, redeemable from any participating human being. Hug your loved ones, hug your neighbors, hug yourself - that was Linda's way. She will be tremendously missed by those who love her.

There will be a Visitation on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 5-8 PM at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, and also one hour prior to the service. There will be a Memorial service on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 11 AM at the funeral home.

If you wish to make a donation in Linda's memory, please direct them to Ronald MacDonald House Rochester or the Rochester Reading Center.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Sorensen family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com

Last update to her profile from Linda:
If you have considered attending a reunion and couldn't convince yourself to do it...take a risk and try it! If we were friends at RHS or VCPC I would like to see you!

I still see some classmates occasionally including Paula Berres who is living in NYC and Barb Seba Richards Brinker, my ex-sister-in-law, who lives in the MN Northwoods. Cathy Buckley Carlson found me again a couple of years ago and reunited me with the old Zane Avenue gang. Thanks Cathy!

I'm retired from working at Mayo Clinic after 36 years first as a staff RN and then as a nurse manager. My specialty is pediatrics.

My volunteer activities include: appraising for Destination Imagination at local, state and international tournaments, at our local food shelf, and as a committee member for Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days. This is an antique and flea market that is held the third weekend in August in Oronoco, MN.

I'm married to the same guy (Lance) since 1972 and we have a 37 year old daughter and launched 32 year old son. Our daughter is married and has one son.