Carolyn E. Schipporeit, 83

Carolyn E. Schipporeit, the third of six children, was born September 12, 1939, on the Max Kirkpatrick Ranch, at Todd County SD, to Otto G. and Sarah Esther (Athey) Schipporeit. She left us on April 10, 2023, at the age of 83 year at the Great Plains Health Center in North Platte, NE.

Carolyn attended elementary school in Ainsworth, NE until the family moved to Valentine, NE where she attended Zion Lutheran Parochial school through the eighth grade. Upon the death of her father in the spring of 1953, the family moved back to Ainsworth. She entered high school and graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1957 as the valedictorian. Carolyn began working at the Commercial National Bank as a senior in high school and remained a dedicated employee until her marriage to long time friend Dale Sorensen on July 26, 1980. They enjoyed the great outdoors and traveling until Dale passed away in 1986. Following his death, Carolyn joined the staff at the Ainsworth Public Library where she continued to serve in some capacity until her death.

Carolyn lived a very private and quiet life and carried a very big heart that was filled with generosity. She was always very attentive to her siblings at all ages and stages of their life. Carolyn spent a lot of her lifetime sharing housing with her mother Esther and brother Gerald, where Saturdays meant housekeeping and it was best if everyone stayed out of her path. She truly enjoyed doing yard work also. As most of you know Carolyn had her own time zone and arrived as “on time” as she could at a snail’s pace. Carolyn proudly held Nebraska Husker football season tickets for many years. She and Gerald were diligent about attending a couple of games a year as their health allowed and shared her tickets with family and friends. Carolyn was always willing to help someone out or give to a good cause, especially if it involved animals, and was religious about recycling. Most of us know that she would not want anyone to worry about her or make a big deal of her passing. She will be missed by all who had an opportunity to know her.

She was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine and was a long-time member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Ainsworth, where she was a faithful choir member.

She was preceded in death by her parents; only sister, Patricia Neujahr; brothers, Otto, Gerald “Shorty,” Robert and Don Schipporeit; and husband, Dale.

Survivors include brother, Richard (Iree McNally) Schipporeit of Yankton, SD; sister-in-law, Illa Schipporeit of Lakewood, CO; along with nieces, nephews and other family members.

Memorial Services were held on Monday, May 1, 2023 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Ainsworth, with Pastor Lynn Christensen officiating and musical selection “Great is Thy Faithfulness” being performed by the church choir. The Congregational Hymns that were sung included: “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” and “I’m But a Stranger Here”. Inurnment followed in the Lutheran Cemetery near Ainsworth. In lieu of flowers, memorials were to be made to the Zion Lutheran Church of Ainsworth, the Ainsworth Public Library or to the donor’s choice. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth was in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.