Duane Eugene Sorensen, son of Gaylin and Betty Ann (Blau) Sorensen, was born June 7, 1968, at Alta, Iowa. He grew up in Manning and graduated from Manning High School in 1986. Duane then attended school at DMACC in Boone for Nursing.

In March of 1988, he joined the United States Navy and, for several years, served in the Navy as a Corpsman and as a Medic in the Marine Corps. Upon his departure from the service, Duane returned to school and worked as a surgery technician in Nevada and California, later teaching in area colleges. Most recently, he was the Director of Education at Summit College in Anaheim, California.

Duane was very respected by his fellow servicemen, students, and colleagues.

He enjoyed going to Starbucks, Disneyland, traveling, and teaching.

In February of 2012, Duane underwent a routine surgery and after complications his health seriously declined. On Wednesday, November 21, 2012, he died at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, California.
Duane was 44 years, 5 months and 14 days of age.

Duane is survived by a daughter Kenzi; a son Douglas; his father Gaylin Sorensen; a sister Teresa Vonnahme and husband Don of Manning; four brothers: Don McKay of Arizona; Bryan McKay of New York; Ron McKay of Arizona, and Richard Sorensen and wife Nikki of Manning; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother Betty Ann Sorensen.

Services are being planned for a later date at Anaheim, California.