Myrtle M. Sorkness, age 94, longtime resident of Twin Valley, MN, died Monday, March 31, 2014, in Pioneer Cottages in Fergus Falls, MN.

Myrtle was born February 12, 1920, the daughter of Paul and Sophie (Flaten) Buchholz at International Falls, MN, where her father was a welder for Boise Cascade Paper Company. She graduated from Falls High School with the class of 1937. After graduation she worked in Minneapolis, MN, and then returned to International Falls, where she was employed as a secretary at the school.

On August 10, 1940, Myrtle was united in marriage to Emil Sorkness at the Zion Lutheran Church Parsonage in Twin Valley and honeymooned at Yellowstone National Park. They lived their entire married life at the Sorkness family farm near Twin Valley, where they farmed and Emil worked for the Great Northern Railroad, later the BNSF.

Myrtle was employed as the school secretary at Twin Valley High School starting in 1960. After 25 years, she retired for one week and then worked at Zion Lutheran Church as secretary. One of the things Myrtle enjoyed was traveling. She and Emil visited various areas of the western United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Europe. Emil died in 1993 and Myrtle continued to live at the farm. On August 1, 1998, Myrtle was united in marriage to Norman Albertson at the farm. The couple resided there until moving to the Normandy Apartments in Twin Valley where they spent many happy years. Norman died June 16, 2013. Myrtle then moved to Fergus Falls to be near her daughter and son-in-law.

Myrtle was active in her church and community affairs. She was a member of the Twin Valley Garden Club and bowled on a league for many years. She loved to travel, but her greatest joy was her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life. We all remember her chocolate covered cherries, lefse, venison meatballs and soup. Her other passion was flowers and gardening of any kind. She always had beautiful gardens for all to enjoy.

Myrtle is survived by her daughter, Carolyn (Will) Steffen, Fergus Falls, MN; grandchildren, Jason (Kristine) Steffen, Moorhead, MN and Anne (Nathan) Hruby and their children, Lydia and Daniel, Fargo, ND; two step-sons, M. Lee Albertson, Albuquerque, NM, and Dean (Sherry) Albertson, Rochester, MN; a step-daughter, Myrna (Mike) Baucom, Green Bay, WI and a step-daughter-in-law, CJ Albertson, Long Grove, IA; a sister, Pauline Hardwig and sister-in-law, Martha Buchholz, both of International Falls, MN; a brother-in-law, Vernon (Bernice) Albertson, North Oaks, MN; a special cousin, Imogene Jacobson, Twin Valley, MN; eight step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Emil and second husband, Norman; her son, Jim; sisters, Phyllis and Alice; brother, Bernard and step-son, Dennis.

Funeral Services were held Monday, April 7, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Officiating was Pastor Elton Jorde with Danette Gwin serving as organist and Nathan Hruby as vocalist. Pallbearers were Jason Steffen, Kristine Steffen, Anne Hruby, Nathan Hruby, Lee Albertson and Bill Hardwig.

Burial was in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley.