Leif Sortland

Age 80 of Lowman, NY, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, January 1, 2004, after a long illness.Leif was born in Odda, Norway on February 25, 1923.He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Doris; daughters, Elizabeth (Jon) Abbey of Wayland, NY; Linda (Lee) Harvey of Millerton, PA; Lisa (Gerald) Green of Elmira; grandchildren, Amber, Sabrina, and Jordan; brother, Arne (Edith) Sortland of Oslo, Norway; cousin, Kenneth Sortland of Vail, CO; and other family members in Norway.Leif was plant sanitarian at the A & P Plant in Horseheads, after coming to Elmira in 1965 from Brooklyn, NY, when the plant opened.He loved to garden and had a ?green thumb?; he could grow anything and he loved being outdoors all year long.Leif was given an award for 25 years of service to his country by the John Birch Society and was a chapter leader for 15 years.He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and was a compassionate, generous man with a beautiful smile.He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed by everyone who knew him.Family and friends are invited to call at the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira, NY on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 from 1 to 2 PM with burial to immediately follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira.A Memorial Service will be held following the burial in the Bethany Lutheran Church, 256 S. Walnut St., Elmira, NY 14904 at 3:30 PM with Pastor Ann Cassler officiating.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Leif?s name may be made to the Bethany Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 E. Corning Rd., Corning, NY 14830.Those wishing may leave a Candle of Remembrance for the family in Obituaries at www.olthof.com .