D. Stephen (Steve) Sorensen, much-adored husband, father, and grandfather died at his home in Santa Barbara, California, on January 17, 2021. Steve was a man of action and lived a big life. His wife, Shannon, says, “He felt like he could do anything, and he actually did a lot of it!” He brought sunshine into every interaction, with a native optimism and seemingly boundless energy. His world revolved around Shannon, their eight children, and their 18 (so far) grandchildren. His kids say he was always working hard, but when he was with them, he was very present. When he walked into the room, his first move was always to pick up the nearest baby, whom he would carry around for hours. Steve’s his family will continue to be his most important legacy. He was also a person of great faith who freely gave his time, talents, energy, and resources to his church and his community. 

Steve Sorensen was truly a larger-than-life person who had a profound influence on thousands of people who have worked with and served with him.  He was a successful entrepreneur and titan who shaped the industries he served. Steve joined Select Staffing in 1987 and as the CEO he grew it from a small family-owned temporary staffing business to become the largest commercial staffing company in the United States by 2015. Steve departed Select to form Partners Personnel which has become the fastest-growing staffing company with immense success through the foundational principles and people whom Steve chose and developed.

In addition to the temporary staffing industry, Steve’s entrepreneurial endeavors included owning businesses in the ranching, agriculture, mining, real estate, manufacturing, distribution, and aviation industries. Steve was honored as Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003 and has appeared on SIA’s Staffing 100. When Steve wasn’t leading his businesses, spending time with his family, or serving in his church, he was often at his ranch driving cattle on his horse where he found a connection with his pioneer ancestral roots. 

Steve will continue to be a profoundly positive influence on each person who has had the privilege of knowing him as well as a paragon of grit, vision, and ambition. We will honor his legacy by continuing his dream of “helping people improve their lives.” 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 22, at 11 a.m. and can be seen live or recorded at: http://bit.ly/honoringstevesorensen.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memoriam to give.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/humanitarian-aid.