Dean Richard Sorensen, devoted husband, father and grandfather, passed away at home on June 16, 2013. He fought cancer with courage, dignity and his trademark sense of humor.

Dean was born on May 24, 1938 in Malad, Idaho, the fourth of six children born to Joseph Elver Sorensen and LeeEtta Jean Dustin. He graduated from Pocatello High School, served in the U.S. Army Reserve, and later completed an L.D.S. mission to England.

Dean attended Brigham Young University where he met the great love of his life, Paula Jean Payne. They were married for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple on June 4, 1963 and are the parents of six children.

Early in his career Dean taught math and science in the Snake River Junior High and later was a school psychologist in Eugene, Oregon. He received his doctorate in educational psychology from Brigham Young University and was employed as a teacher, counselor and administrator at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) for 33 years. For 17 of those years he served as the Academic Vice President. Dean treasured the many friendships he enjoyed with colleagues and students.

Dean loved the gospel and his Church and served faithfully in the many callings given him in the wards and stakes where he lived, among them: two terms as bishop, stake president, and sealer in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg temples.

Dean and Paula loved missionary work and served five full-time missions together during which Dean served as president of the Illinois Peoria Mission, welfare agent in the Asia Area with headquarters in Hong Kong, counselor in the Idaho Falls Temple presidency, president of the England Missionary Training Center, and executive secretary to the Philippines Area Presidency.

Dean enjoyed traveling and camping with his family, along with playing sports, especially tennis and golf. He coached little league baseball and basketball and was an avid BYU football and Utah Jazz fan.

He was successful because he cared about people and loved those he served. He had a cheerful countenance, optimistic outlook, and a great sense of humor. He was a humble leader at work, at church, at home, and in the community. His absence will be deeply felt but his love and example will remain in our hearts forever.

Dean is survived by his wife, Paula; six children and their spouses [Jeff and Cherene Sorensen, Sheri and John Hawker, Julie and Dante Huntsman, Steve and Ronette Sorensen, Mark and Jaimee Sorensen, Amy and Shawn Siddoway]; 26 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by a beloved granddaughter, Nicole Sorensen.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2013 in the Rexburg Idaho Center Stake Center (590 Summerwood Drive). The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and prior to services at the stake cener from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Interment will be at the Rexburg City Cemetery.