The smell of fresh read baking, fruit oup, caring for three children who all had measles at the same time—these are some of the many memories associated with Doris Evelyn Sorensen, a special woman who served alongside her husband in pastoral ministry for many years. She passed away on September 1, 2008.
Doris was born in Maplewood Township, Minnesota, on November 10, 1914. She grew up in Minnesota and met her future husband, Edward Daniel Sorensen, there; they were married in 1936. Her husband served as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor for many years and the family lived in various places, including Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and Northern California. In addition to supporting Pastor Sorensen in his responsibilities, Doris was a dedicated and loving mother.
Their daughter, Patricia, remembers her mother walking across town during a cold North Dakota February so that she could visit Patti in the hospital after she had an appendectomy. During the summer Doris worked in the camp kitchen so that her children would be able to enjoy junior camp. When money was really tight, Patricia remembers her mother sometimes making lettuce and mayonnaise sandwiches, but Doris would always welcome her children home from school with a big hug and after-school snack. Another fond memory for Patricia is her mom playing games with her brother while Patricia played dolls with her sister, Margaret.
Doris Sorensen was known as a very tender-hearted, gentle, and resourceful person. Knowing that Patricia liked chocolate, she always made her a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for her birthday, and continued the tradition even when Patricia was away at academy and college. Doris always found a way to deliver those chocolate cakes!
Family was very important to Doris, and even after her children were grown and married, she kept in touch with them via Friday-night phone calls, as well as giving support, encouragement, and lots of cookies to the grandchildren.
Doris Sorensen was a longtime member of the English Oaks Seventh-day Adventist church in Lodi, California. Her children Robert (and wife Carrol), Patricia (and husband Charles Mitchell), and Margaret (and husband Vernon Holthouse), along with nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, eagerly wait to see their loved one again when Jesus comes.
