Sorensen, Ruth Ellen (1922 – 2009)

SORENSEN, RHODES, OUTKA, BAILEY, WILSON, KEMP

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 9/7/2013 at 19:15:16

Name of deceased: Ruth Ellen Sorensen (nee Rhodes)

Aged: 87 yrs, 6 mo, 8 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: Jan. 13, 1922, in Alice, ND

Died: July 21, 2009, at the New London Nursing and Rehab Center in New London, IA

Funeral services: Monday, July 27, 2009, Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Harlan, IA; Rev. Dave Swinton officiated. Burial at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, IA.

Survived by: Children, Rosalie Outka of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Patricia (spouse, Dennis) Bailey of Council Bluffs, IA, Jack Sorensen (spouse, Judith) of Bulverde, TX, Robert Sorensen (spouse, Joy) of Sealy, TX; 9 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Walter F. And Selma (nee Wilson) Rhodes; husband of 58 years, JW (deceased July 19, 1999, Harlan, IA); brother, Victor; sisters-in-law, Rosie Rhodes and Maxine Kemp

Education: Ruth attended Harlan (IA) High School and graduated with the Class of 1940

Religious affiliation: member of the First United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Jack "JW" Wendell Sorensen; Aug. 18, 1940; First United Methodist Church in Harlan, IA

Employment: was a stay-at-home mom

Hobbies/Interests: Ruth was the strength of her family and was looked up to by many. She took a lot of pride in her home; she enjoyed being in the kitchen and was an excellent cook. Ruth went through much of her life without having a driver’s license but, at the age of 50 and after three different instructors, she received her license from the State of Iowa. Ruth was a loving person and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also loved cats and often adopted strays, including Tiger who lived to be 24 years old. Ruth also spent many hours volunteering at area organizations, including the Broadway Methodist Church where she was also a member of the church auxiliary.

Sources: ancestry.com, pauleyjones.com