Jon Hans Sorensen

Jon was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Willa Scott (née Crane) and Raymond Erwin Sorensen. Raised in Grinnell, Iowa, he is fourth of five siblings and survived by brother Ray Eric Sorensen (Sandy), sisters Karen Snyder (Peter), Sonja Sorensen Craig (John), Kirsten Sorensen, and three nieces and four nephews.

Jon graduated from Creston High School in 1965. He earned his bachelors degree in Industrial Management from Iowa State University in 1969, where he met many of his lifelong friends, as a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. After moving to Colorado, he earned a degree in Civil Engineering in 1976. He worked for a variety of engineering firms; including Wright McLaughlin Engineers and CH2M Hill. In 1993 he established his own company: Stormwater and Environmental Consultants. His specialty was storm water management, and he designed storm water systems for many Colorado communities.

Jon married Pamela Miller in 1980 and 2 years later welcomed a baby girl, Annalise, whom he calls his shining star. As a family they enjoyed traveling abroad, Rocky Mountain adventures and good times with family and friends. Jon instilled his tremendous work ethic, fun loving, competitive nature and love of sports in his daughter. No matter the subject or sport, he was always her biggest cheerleader. Even though Jon and Pam are no longer married, they remained close through the family they shared, especially in the last years of his life.

Jon loved living in Colorado and was an adventurous outdoorsman. He took advantage of all that the Rocky Mountains offered: skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, camping and back country trips. One included a 15-day rafting/camping trip as an oarsman down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Some other adventures included hiking the Kalalau trail in Hawaii and the mountains in Nepal. Jon enjoyed travel to many parts of the world. He had a talent for photographing outdoor beauty. He was quite the athlete and completed a variety of cycling races and triathlons.

Later in life, Jon loved riding his Harley Davidson with his motorcycle buddies. They call themselves the Kruzin’ Kahunas. They take 1-2 lengthy trips each year to beautiful parts of the western United States. These trips include motorcycling long distances by day and razzing each other by night.

Jon is survived by his daughter Annalise Sorensen, son-in-law Patrick Carroll, and grandsons Isaac (13) and Shane (6). In June 2016 Jon moved to Louisville, CO to share a home with Annalise and her family. He described this time as the best 2 years of his life. The 3- generation household was lively and loving. “G-Pa,” as the boys lovingly called him, was often found joking and playing games with his grandsons. When Jon was diagnosed with cancer, he, Patrick and Annalise planned for home hospice care so he could be surrounded by the loving care of his family.

Jon passed away on July 30, 2018 from pancreatic cancer that had been diagnosed in May. Thankfully, Jon’s sisters were able to join Annalise’s family to help care for him during these months. Before his passing, Jon was blessed with visits from all of his sisters, brother, nephews, nieces, in-laws, and closest friends. Though these months were full of many difficult moments, the immense support and constant reminders of love from family and close friends is so appreciated.

Much gratitude to the Denver Hospice home health team for their kindness and expertise during this difficult journey for Jon and his family. With their support, his desire to take his last breath at home, with Annalise by his side, was possible.

On August 17, 2018, to celebrate Jon’s life, a memorial service will be held at Louisville Cemetery (Block 37), 1779 State Highway 42, Lafayette, CO 80026, at 2 pm, with a gathering of family and friends to follow. This spot was selected because it is a beautiful outdoor space, with a view of the Rocky Mountains that Jon so loved.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Boulder County Audubon Society in honor of Jon’s love of birds and wildlife conservation.