Barbara Ann (Bruns) Sorlien

Barbara Ann (Bruns) Sorlien, age 93 of Brooklyn Park, MN, formerly of Ortonville, MN, surrounded by the love of her family, passed away July 17. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Park, MN. Visitation will be held one hour before the service from 10:00-11:00 a.m.  A private family internment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at https://princeofpeacechurch.org/live/

Barbara was born in Ortonville, MN, on March 27, 1933 to Phillip and Sigrid (Nelson) Bruns. After graduating from Ortonville High School in 1951, she attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis, residing at Maebeth Paige House for a few years. She worked for Pillsbury, Ford Tractor, General Mills, Hills Brothers Coffee, and for the Control Data Corporation from 1974-1989. Her last position was with the Hennepin County Assessor’s office until her retirement in early 2000.

On May 27, 1955, Barbara was united in marriage to Donald W. Sorlien. They lived in Minneapolis until 1960, when they moved to a new home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.  Later that year, Barb and Don became charter members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and were in on the ground floor of many aspects of the congregation. Barbara helped with Sunday School, funerals, and was at one point the leader of the nine Ladies Auxiliary Committees. Family and faith were very important to Barbara, and she was a lifelong supporter and wonderful role model to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Barbara kept in touch with her family as well as her husband’s family long after his death. Many a birthday and Christmas card was received by family and extended family from her over the years. Countless birthday and holiday gatherings and meals were enjoyed by family in her home, complete with holiday decorations, special dishes, and one’s very own box of Christmas cookies given out at Thanksgiving each year. She enjoyed gardening, and was active with the Brooklyn Park Senior Center (book clubs, classes, and trips) Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Bible Study, volunteering) and she had a great pride in taking care of her home of 66 years. 

Barbara is survived by her sister Berneeta Forstner of Boise, Idaho; three children: Katherine (Brian) Weitz of Eagan, MN; Rebecca Sorlien (Ronald LaFond) of Roseville, MN; and Jay Sorlien (former spouse Virginia Templeton, Mpls.) of Mound, MN; six grandchildren: Shaena Weitz (Maayan Druckmann), Evan Weitz, Benjamin LaFond, Amelia LaFond, Carl Sorlien, Linnea Sorlien; and two great-grandchildren: Magnus Druckmann and Lena Druckmann; plus numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents Phillip and Sigrid (Nelson) Bruns; a baby brother Robert Bruns, Donald Sorlien, her husband of 40 years, and sisters Bessie Koebernick of Arlington, VA and Bonnie Rothi of Ortonville, MN. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, MN preferred.