Patricia J. Sorteberg

Patricia J. (nee Koehn) Sorteberg went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on March 2, 2023, at the age of 86, after being cared for by her loving husband and family in her 40-month battle with cancer.

Pat was the tenth of eleven children born to Herman and Cecilia Koehn in Omro, Wisconsin.

From her parents, Pat learned the gift of working hard, which began at the early age of five when her family moved to a rented farm in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.  She held many “jobs” from age 5 to 66, with a brief intermission when her children were young.  In 1957, during an extended visit to her sister who lived in Minnesota, Pat met the man she was searching for, Ed Sorteberg, their marriage of 63 years is a legacy of enduring love. They attended a Marriage Encounter in 1976, where Christ made Himself known to them: their lives were never the same.  After their Marriage Encounter, they began dressing alike, as a witness to their oneness.

Pat loved people and the opportunity to share with them; the best decision she ever made was giving her life to Jesus.  They opened their home to foster children and many others who needed a place to stay.  She taught Sunday school classes, ladies bible studies, led many homegroups and also enjoyed attending them.  From 1980 – 1986 she participated in C.Y.E. - Christian Youth Encounter Retreats, often as a Spiritual Director.  This season was one of the highlights of her life. After Amy began kindergarten in 1978, Pat went to Anoka Hennepin and became a certified Nurse’s assistant.  She enjoyed caring for the elderly until Ed and Pat both retired in 2002 and moved to Kansas City.  There Pat enrolled in and graduated from the first class at International House of Prayer’s, 2-year Bible School, along with eight other students in there 20’s.  Pat’s patience was tried as she learned - how to use Microsoft Word for documents and turn assignments in using the computer. To her IHOP classmates, she quickly became the person she was to so many, “Mom.”   

At their current church Pat and Ed cherished their senior years in the Prayer Room. After Pat found out she had cancer in 2019, along with the help of her granddaughter, Jessica, and dear friend, Sheree Meader, her collections of poems were published under the title: Memories in the Attic of My Mind.  Pat loved her large “family”, she was an avid reader, delighted in cooking and baking, known for her hospitality, a passion for seeing needs and helping people, saving money by shopping sales, thrift stores and garage sales, also staying up to date on current events, especially Israel, and listening to her favorite Bible teachers.  

Pat is survived by her loving husband, Edward; children, Pamela (Mike) Mullen, Angela (Daniel) Yaekel, Scott (Lisa) Sorteberg, Jennifer Yaekel, Troy Sorteberg, Tony (Julie) Sorteberg, Amy Vivone; grandchildren, Michael, Melissa (Luke), Jessica, Ben (Crystal), Brandon, Sarah (Robin), Hannah (Justin), Kollin, Roman (Mai), Callista, Elizabeth, Judah, Moriah, Mary, Anthony, Daunte, Anneka, Isabella, Gabriel; and greatgrandchildren, Nora, Oliver, Liberty, Frederick, William, Evelyn, and baby due in June.  Pat’s siblings, Charles (Dee) Koehn of Markesan, WI, Phyllis (Don) Brezgel of Franklin, WI; brothers and sisters-in-law, and many dear nieces, nephews, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; 8 of her 10 siblings and their spouses; nephew, Randy Weber, niece, Barbara Beck, and grandnieces, Joni and Tanya.

Thank you all that stood in prayer with Pat during her 40-months battle with cancer.

Funeral Services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Crossroads Church, 17445 Notre Dame Street NE, Columbus, Minnesota 55025.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  A meal with a continued time of sharing will follow.  Private family interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  

Donations to Samaritan’s Purse.

Pat read; Living Beyond the Limits: A Life in Sync with God, by Franklin Graham, sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said “Go and do likewise.” The mission of Samaritan's Purse—to follow the example of Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel. Pat valued that they actually go out and see the sight they are supporting.  Samaritan Purse is a well-equipped first responder, even outfitted with a mobile hospital, recently being one of the first responders in the Ukraine. She appreciated their integrity.