Rolf Edward Sorum

Rolf E. Sorum TRAVERSE CITY – Rolf Edward Sorum, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, April 26, 2018. He was born on November 22, 1943 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Shortly after his birth, Fritz, Stella, and their daughter, Solveig came to Lutheran Services and chose him to be part of their forever family. Rolf was diagnosed with profound deafness when he was 2 ½ years old. His education began in a residential oral language school when he was 3. He was a favorite student. When he was eleven years old he transferred to the Minnesota School for the Deaf and was excited about learning how to use the American Sign Language that he had often seen other children using. In 1957 he transferred to the Michigan School for the Deaf when the family moved to Traverse City. He graduated in 1963. Following graduation he pursued a vocation in the restaurant business where he was always a valued employee. Rolf always cared deeply about his family and friends. He loved to go on family vacations, going to Norway, Arizona and especially to Florida. He was faithful in keeping in touch with his many friends. They experienced his ceaseless joy with the world and his mischievous sense of humor. Rolf will be deeply missed by his sister, Solveig Gustafson and her husband Mark, niece, Kaaryn and her daughter Anneke, nephew, Drew and his wife Nicole and their son Maverick. Rolf was grateful to have formed a loving relationship with Solveig’s birth sister Barbara Jean Rassofsky and her husband Emil. All of Rolf’s cousins, Robin, Jeri Ann, Mark, Bea, Paul and Miriam have had a special place in his heart. Many thanks go to all of Rolf’s friends in the Deaf Fellowship, the many ASL interpreters who have given such capable loving service, the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church for their support and friendship, and to his medical providers at Cedar Run Eye Clinic, and Crystal Lake Health Clinic who have enriched his life as his health has failed. A celebration of Rolf’s life will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 2:00 pm, with a visitation one hour prior. Memorial contributions in Rolf’s honor may be direct to LIS’N, Sign Language Interpreter Service Disability Network, 415 E. Eighth Street, Traverse City, MI 49686, or Trinity Lutheran Church Ministry for the Deaf, 1003 S. Maple Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.

Rolf Edward Sorum

November 22, 1943 - April 26, 2018