Dean Richard Sorensen

Dean Richard Sorensen, devoted husband, father and grandfather, passed away at home

Sunday, June 16, 2013. He fought cancer with courage, dignity and his trademark sense of humor.

Dean was born May 24, 1938, in Malad, Idaho, the fourth of six children born to Joseph Elver Sorensen and LeeEtta Jean Dustin. He graduated from Pocatello High School, served in the U.S. Army Reserve, and later completed an LDS mission to England.

Dean attended Brigham Young University, where he met the great love of his life, Paula Jean Payne. They were married for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple on June 4, 1963, and are the parents of six children.

Dean received his doctorate in educational psychology from Brigham Young University and was employed as a teacher, counselor and administrator at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) for 33 years. For 17 of those years, he served as the academic vice president. Dean treasured the many friendships he enjoyed with colleagues and students.

Dean loved the gospel and his church and served faithfully in the many callings given him in the wards and stakes where he lived, among them two terms as bishop, stake president and sealer in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg temples.

Dean and Paula loved missionary work and served five full-time missions together, during which Dean served as president of the Illinois Peoria Mission, welfare agent in the Asia Area with headquarters in Hong Kong, counselor in the Idaho Falls Temple presidency, president of the England Missionary Training Center, and executive secretary to the Philippines Area presidency.

Dean enjoyed traveling and camping with his family, along with playing sports, especially tennis and golf. He coached Little League baseball and basketball and was an avid BYU football and Utah Jazz fan. He had a cheerful countenance, optimistic outlook and a great sense of humor. He was a humble leader at work, church, home and in the community. He loved those whom he served. His absence will be deeply felt, but his love and example will remain in our hearts forever.

Dean is survived by his wife, Paula; six children and their spouses: Jeff and Cherene Sorensen, Sheri and John Hawker, Julie and Dante Huntsman, Steve and Ronette Sorensen, Mark and Jaimee Sorensen, and Amy and Shawn Siddoway; 26 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a beloved granddaughter, Nicole Sorensen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 20, in the Rexburg, Idaho Stake Center, 590 Summerwood Drive. The family will visit with friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, at Flamm Funeral Home and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Rexburg City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.