Vilgard Sorgen

Vilgard Irene Daehlin was born in Hunan Province, China, December 15, 1908, to Ingvald and Emma (Hasle) Daehlin. Vilgard spent her early years in China and returned to the United States when she was eighteen years of age. She graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, and taught english and music in Watford City, ND.
On January 1, 1935, Vilgard married Rev. Sanford Sorgen, in St. Paul, MN. Over the years, they lived in Lake Alma, Saskatchewan, Canada, Crosby, ND, Valley City, ND, and LaCrosse, WI, where Sanford served in the ministry. In 1953, they were called to Moorhead, where a new church was being organized: the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. While in Moorhead, Vilgard returned to Concordia College for her library science degree. In 1970, they moved to Blair, NE. Vilgard continued to teach as well as serve as librarian in the communities where they lived over the years, until she retired in 1974. Vilgard and Sanford returned to Moorhead in 1975.
Sanford preceded Vilgard in death on March 11, 1999, and she remained in Moorhead. Vilgard died Tuesday, November 4, 2003, in Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, at ninety-four years of age.
Vilgard is lovingly survived by her three sons, Dr. David Sorgen and his wife, Beverley, Fargo, Daniel Sorgen and his wife, Kitty, Newbury Park, CA, and Dr. Stephen Sorgen and his wife, Jeannie, Abilene, TX; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a sister, Julie Helstrom, Minneapolis, MN.
Visitation for Vilgard will be Friday, November 7, 2003, from 6 - 8 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead. Her funeral will be Saturday, November 8, 2003, at 1 PM, in Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, with burial to follow in Prairie Home Cemetery, Moorhead.