Stephen Jay Sorenson, 71, died at his home in Salt Lake City on May 29, 2021, from the effects of lymphoma. He was born on August 9, 1949, in Salt Lake City to Peter Jay Sorenson and Jeannette Hanks Sorenson. He graduated from West High School, the University of Utah, and the University of Utah Law School. He married the love of his life, Corinne Clyde, in the Salt Lake Temple on January 24, 1974, and they became the parents of five wonderful children.
He worked as a lawyer, first in the Utah Attorney General’s Office, where he served as chief of the litigation division, and for the bulk of his career, in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, where he served as first assistant to U.S. Attorney Paul M. Warner among other assignments. Stephen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; he served a full-time mission in the Finland Helsinki Mission as a young man, and subsequently was privileged to serve as a teacher, as bishop of the Capitol Hill Second Ward, as president of the Salt Lake Stake, and with his wife Corinne, as president of the Russia Moscow Mission, as well as in other assignments. In past times he enjoyed recording books for the blind at the Utah State Library, serving as president of the Capitol Hill Kiwanis Club, and producing the monthly bulletin for the Capitol Hill Community Council. He always felt that, in his professional, church, and community activities, he was privileged to know and work with some of the finest people on earth.
He is survived by his wife, Corinne; their children, spouses, and grandchildren, Jeannette and Jonathan Bowen (Emily and Tanner, Lindsey, Jack, Kate, Hannah, Hailey, Samuel); Peter Sorenson; Rich and Misty Sorenson (Sophia, Max, Owen, Maggie); Michael and Mandy Sorenson (Zoey, Alyssa, Audrey, Zane); Becky and John Mortensen (Brooklyn, Jake, Remmy, Kate, Ellie, baby girl (in August)); his sister and brother-in-law, Claudia and Bruce Nielson of Worland, Wyoming; and a great group of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 7, 2021, at the Capitol Hill Ward (413 West Capitol Street) at 11:00 a.m. Those who wish to attend virtually may use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Q6cQkgcRSbM8k0HrEj_cv1n16daim23yru6PKV0DE4AbQKbjNZYJY2GYPTqJqcZg.S1qo69pcBNOSEqSg?startTime=1623084183000. Friends may greet family members the evening before the services from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Larkin Mortuary (260 East South Temple) or at the chapel before the services, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory to Latter-day Saint Charities or the Church Missionary Department.
Celia and I extend our condolences to Sister Sorenson and the Sorenson family. President Sorenson was an inspiration to so many and gave his time and talents selflessly. I will always treasure his calm demeanor, his wise counsel and his reassuring smile.
Dear Corinne and Family,
We wanted to send to you our condolences on the passing of your husband and father. Mike and Joyce have many fond memories through the years of working with and being friends with both Stephen and Corinne. Steven was a very kind and loving man and we will miss him. We are so sorry for your loss at this time and know that we will see him again. Our prayers are with you.
All of our love,
The McKendrick Family
I spent many years working with Steve in the U.S. Attorney's Office. I admired him so much as a work colleague and love and respect him as a dear friend. I loved his sense of humor, respected his leadership skills, and recognize the literally hundreds of significant contributions he made to the office. It is an honor to call him a work colleague and a high honor to call him a dear friend. Until we meet again, Steve.
I just heard about Steve. My heart goes out to the whole family. He will be missed I’m sure.
Marshall
Dear Corrine and Sorenson family, our Mortensen family has kept you all in our prayers during this trying time. We are so grateful for knowing your sweet husband and Becky’s Father. We send our condolences at this time and mourn with all of you. We send our love and encouragement. Marc and Betty
To Steve's Family -
I was saddened to read of Steve's passing. I first met Steve when I came to work at the Utah Attorney General's office. It was quickly easy to see that even though he was only a few years out of law school, he was already an excellent attorney - not one who would try to bully or badger his way to victory, but rather one who calmly sought out the facts and then applied the law, and was always fair in his dealings. He truly viewed his role as an attorney as being an officer of the court, and that justice should prevail based on the facts and the law. It was even easier, though, to realize that he was also an incredibly fine person, decent, good and kind to everyone, including those on the opposite side of litigation. Much later we discovered we had both served missions to Finland, which gave us an even closer attachment. Even after he left the AG's office, he remained a true friend, always available to discuss anything at any time. He even helped arrange it so our son could have his wedding breakfast at one of the buildings in the Salt Lake City Stake.
In my life, I have known some very good attorneys, and some very good people. Steve was the best of both.
I know Steve had a strong testimony that God lives, the Jesus Christ is HIs Son and our Savior, and that He lives, and that while death in this life may part us for a short while, we will see each other again. May that knowledge, and the love of our Heavenly Father, HIs Son, and the Holy Ghost, comfort all of you at this time.