Carroll Bud Sorenson

Carroll Bud Warren Sorenson was born on April 3, 1928, to Ernest and Stella Erickson Sorenson in Albert Lea, MN. He attended school in Albert Lea. Bud was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Erdahl on September 6, 1958 at South Blue Earth Church in Bricelyn. Bud started flying in the summer of 1945. By 1948 he built up enough hours that he had his commercial flight license. In 1951 Bud was a flight instructor for the United States Air Force. In 1956, along with Gene Fynbo who owned Albert Lea Flying Service he started Fynbo-Sorenson Flying Service. In 1958 Gene sold the business to Bud and the name was changed back to Albert Lea Flying Service and then to Customaire, Inc. Bud was also the Albert Lea Airport manager and FAA flight license examiner until 1972 when a heart attack forced him to end his flying career. He then went from the air to the ground where he drove as a volunteer for the Community Resource Council and then Ride Services. Bud also drove for the Fountain Lake Treatment Center and Naeve Hospital. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea and a past president of Minnesota Aviator Trade Assoc. Bud also served as a board member for the MN Comprehensive Health Care Assoc. and the Airport Planning Commission. Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Albert Lea; children, Scott Sorenson of Albert Lea, and Robin Faith of Mukwonago, WI; grandchildren, Ashleigh and Brandon Faith of Mukwonago, WI; brother, Duane Lavon Sorenson of Rochester, Harlowe Marlys Sorenson of Belle Vista, AR, and Ronald Virginia Sorenson of Albert Lea; and many nieces and nephews. Bud was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Marilyn Reim.