Carl William Soerens

Carl Soerens, 83, went home to be with Jesus and his other half on December 23, 2020. Carl was born October 4, 1937 in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, to Norbert and Josephine Soerens and had sisters Gail Remington and Joan (Scott) Holt and brother Bob (Kathy) Soerens. He attended Central College in Pella Iowa where he met the love of his life, Elaine Heusinkveld Soerens. They were married in 1959 and walked hand in hand until her passing last year. Graduating with a degree in Mathematics, he initially taught high school until he moved to Milwaukee in 1961, where he was recruited to be a computer programmer. He wrote the original programs that ran the catalog division for JC Penney. He worked for JC Penney for 35 years as a programmer then project manager and recruiter. Although he was excellent at his career, his true joy was the different ways he was used by God to love on and care for people. Carl and Elaine had three children: Susan (Bryan), Thomas (Kelly) and Andrew (Ellen), and grandchildren Hanna De Graaf, Katherine, Stephen, Evangeline and Abigail Soerens, Lucy and Isaiah Struve, Garret and Denise Soerens. Carl lived in Brookfield Wisconsin during the years they were raising their children and he served on the board of Brookfield Assembly of God as well as led and participated in prayer meetings and ministries throughout the area. He was an award winning and creative photographer, serving as president of the Photojournalism division of the Photographic Society of America. After retirement, he and Elaine were volunteer prison chaplains in Texas, working with women prisoners in maximum security and death row. There, as throughout our lifetimes, we his children often heard others call him “Dad” because, as one prisoner said. “He was the first man I’ve met who when I looked in his eyes I saw only love”. He was an avid golfer and lifelong learner. They travelled to five continents and particularly loved to cruise. He was known by those only minimally acquainted as quiet and stoic and by those close to him as incisive and funny. Their marriage was a model of friendship and love and they truly were soulmates. He was an excellent father and leader and beloved Papa. The family will celebrate privately. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Foundation for His Ministry (www.ffhm.org) in Carl’s name will continue the work in Mexico that they have supported for over 20 years.