SOREBO, Gilbert "Gil" R., age 88

Died: Thursday, May 21st, 2015

Celebration of Life: 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 25, 2015 at Chapel Heights United Methodist Church (300 East Hamilton, Eau Claire) with Revered Cheryl Miskimen officiating

There is no visitation prior to service

Interment: Forest Hill Cemetery, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials to the church

Gilbert R. "Gil" Sorebo, age 88, of Altoona died on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Oakwood Villa, just one day before his 89^th birthday.

Gil was born on May 22, 1926 to the late John and Nellie (Neumiester) Sorebo in Mankato, MN. He proudly served our country during World War II in Germany as a Chief Postal Clerk. Following his service, Gil went on to college first at Mankato State University and then graduated from Westmar College in Le Mars, IA with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Social Sciences. From there he went on to seminary earning a Bachelor of Divinity degree (now considered a Master of Divinity) from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville, IL (now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL). For several years he served as an Evangelical United Brethren (now part of the United Methodist Church) minister in three different churches in Minnesota. In 1960, he took a sales position with Fremont Industries, was assigned to Eau Claire and continued in that position for 28 years. Not one for sitting still, he continued to work full-time as a Patient Assistant with Midelfort Clinic (now Mayo Clinic Health System) until he was 76 years old when he finally retired.

He met and married Joan Nelson in 1968 and remained married to her for 46 years until his death. Gil was a founding member of Chapel Heights United Methodist Church where he remained active in a wide variety of church activities including choir, various boards, youth leadership, and countless other volunteer roles with the church and the larger community. Only when he was physically unable to do so did he stop volunteering. He was the church's permanent greeter, always willing to share a welcome with anyone who walked in the door.  That enthusiasm for welcoming strangers spread to all aspects of his life. From bank tellers to store clerks, everyone seemed to notice his always friendly demeanor and positive attitude. 

He is survived by his wife, Joan; sons, Gib (Amy) Sorebo of Ashburn, VA and John Sorebo of Appleton, WI; brother, Ed (Nancy) Sorebo of Minnetonka, MN; sister-in-law, Barbara Sorebo of Eau Claire; grandchildren, Kate Sorebo, Isabel Sorebo, Lauren Sorebo, and Jeffrey Sheridan-Sorebo; nieces and nephews, Jim Sorebo, Lisa Hathcox, Paula Beck, Eric Sorebo, Karen Petersen Fude, Sandy Kaeding, Pam Sorebo, Ann Sorebo, and Mark Sorebo; many cousins, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, John Sorebo, Mary Lorenz, and Thomas Sorebo.