C.F "Smokey" Sorensen

C.F "Smokey".Sorensen died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004, at his home on the shore of Flathead Lake in Woods Bay.

He was born Dec. 16, 1924, in Elyria, Neb. After attending school, he worked for a time in Salt Lake City. Smokey joined the Marines in 1943 where he served in the Pacific at Guadalcanal and was in the battle of Iwo Jima. One of his most poignant memories was seeing the U.S. flag raised on Mount Suribachi.

In 1950, Smokey married Marion "Dot" Kaley from Chokio Minn. The couple lived in Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wyoming and Montana. In 1964, they moved to Great Falls, where he owned a car dealership. The Sorensen family resided south of Great Falls at Brookwood Park until 1988.

Smokey served as State Senator from Cascade County from 1971-1975.

The couple retired to Woods Bay and operated Bigfork Candy Company in downtown Bigfork for six summers. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2000 with a party attended by many friends and family.

Smokey enjoyed his family, gardening, politics, traveling, golf and cards.

He is survived by his wife, five children and their spouses: Sue and Chris Toppen of Monarch, Mont., Jodi and Matt Dhillon of St.Louis, Mo., Chris Sorensen of Great Falls, Cindy and Joe Griffo of Burbank, Calif. and Holly Sorensen of Venice, Calif., a brother Robert of Taylor,Neb., six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers and a sister- in-law.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Bigfork QRU, Bigfork, MT.