Clarks Grove Historical Society welcome’s Sorenson’s Appliance

The Clarks Grove Historical Society met on the evening of June 12. Karter Sletten, guest speaker and employee for Sorenson’s Appliance & TV, was also there to discuss Sorenson’s history. Kathy Carlsen too was present with an authentic television tube repair kit from the 1960s and 70s used by her father Larry Carlsen, and untouched since 1973.

Since Warren Sorenson began his business in 1951, Sorenson’s Appliance & TV has been providing Geneva Minnesota and the surrounding area with quality and service, which makes them one of the oldest businesses around. There was a Sorenson’s in Albert Lea from 1982-1986, but that was unsuccessful. Although Karter Sletten hasn’t been with the company that long, just over a year, he has been with them long enough to vouch for them: “It’s a great company, great people to work for.” Sorenson’s is currently led by the third generation of the family, the grandsons of “Old Man Sorenson,” as they call him on their website. With eight delivery guys out every day and 4-5 service techs and two sales reps, plus the owners out selling, Sletten said, “We’re constantly staying busy, constantly on the road doing deliveries. Hopefully they’re going to be around for a long time.”

Also present to speak was Denise Carlsen McGowan, daughter of Mr. Larry Carlsen. And who is Larry Carlsen? He was a television repairman from 1960 till 1973. When McGowan was asked what year he was done repairing televisions, she replied, “You know, I don’t know.” The year was learned by going through Mr. Carlsen’s repair kit. Everything in the kit stopped at the year 1973, his instruction manual, the manufacture dates on the tubes, the boxes holding the tubes. All signs pointed to 1973, “When,” said McGowan, “my dad told me, 'That’s when they started with those throw-away TV’s.' He said no one wanted their TV’s fixed after that because it was cheaper to buy a new one.” Which led Mr. Carlsen to find other work and put his repair kit on a back shelf long enough for his daughter to find it, completely untouched, over 50 years later. It opened up like an old tackle box, the man was very organized.

After the talk, Margaret and Ray provided strawberries and shortcake. In addition to the museum, the Clarks Grove Area Heritage Society hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including historical tours, lectures, and workshops. The society also publishes a quarterly newsletter that shares information about upcoming events and provides updates on the society's activities. Next month is the Museum’s 10th Anniversary, where there will be a performance by the “Singing Cowgirl” at 6 p.m. July 10. There will be free cookies and drawings for memberships and a copy of the book, “History of Clarks Grove.” Remember to bring your own chair for the show.