Sorensen, Rodney Edwin

Rod Sorensen  

Nov 9, 1969 - Dec 8, 2025 

Rodney Edwin Sorensen, age 56 of Barneveld WI, passed away on Monday, December 8 at UW Hospital in Madison. His family was able to say goodbye knowing he was in the best care during his brief stay there. Rod was born on November 9, 1969 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado to Jerry and Evelyn/DeeDee (Blanc) Sorensen. Growing up he loved camping and four wheeling on the stunning Flat Tops Wilderness mountain range in the White River National Forest of the Rocky mountains, and spent many memorable  summers there with his grandparents. He attended Glenwood Springs School District, class of 1987, and excelled at football, earning a full athletic scholarship to Adams State University in Alamosa. Rod enjoyed time there before working in a coal mine, saw mill, and gravel company. He was known his whole life for his strong and diligent work ethic. He met Melissa Schaller while she was on a vacation out west, and they were married on November 7, 1992. Rod and Melissa lived in his home town for 5 years until they moved to southern Wisconsin where he easily settled into life in the midwest, making many friends and enjoying family close by as they raised their three sons in Barneveld. He worked for Yahara Materials and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 for over 25 years.  

Rod had an outgoing personality, a great sense of humor, and amazing dance moves he could occasionally be talked into showing off. He really enjoyed sitting in his garage shootin the breeze in the company of good friends, or watching sports on tv in his favorite chair. Rod was a devoted sports enthusiast and an unwavering fan of the Denver Broncos. His sons were the lights of his life and he often said watching them grow up brought him much joy. They excelled in sports as well, and he never missed their games, always there to cheer them, on and play with and encourage them at home. The three of them were his world.  

Rod is survived by the mother of their children, Melissa of Spring Green; his son Tanner (Alycia Yingling) and grandson Finnegan of Baraboo; sons Brycen and Ian of Barneveld; his brother Rick of Glenwood Springs; niece and nephews of Glenwood Springs; aunts and uncles in Colorado, and many local family members who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. The family will host a celebration of life at a later date.