Marjorie Hope Sorensen a.k.a. “Grandma the Great”
Marjorie Hope was born February 26, 1924, in Miller, South Dakota and was a gift for 90 years to all of those who knew her. She was a woman of great faith with a servant’s heart, creative, compassionate, extremely intelligent, and resourceful. She died on Sunday, June 1, 2014, in her home, surrounded by her family holding tight to their hands and their hearts.
Marjorie’s faith, the foundation of her life, began when a childhood friend invited her to Sunday School. Her faith continued to grow when she joined a high school youth group where she met her future husband, Erwin Sorensen. Her intellectual gifts were evidenced by the fact that she skipped grades in school long before that was common practice. After high school she worked for IBM in its infancy, was immediately recognized for her abilities, and quickly rose to department manager.
On Valentines Day in 1944, she married Erwin Louis Sorensen. During their 63 years of marriage they celebrated the birth of six children, 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and stayed actively involved in all of their lives. Together, Marjorie and Erwin owned several businesses, worked side by side throughout their married lives and passed on their exemplary work ethics to their children.
Marjorie celebrated life with her family and enjoyed many past times with them. Her innate artistic and creative skills were evidenced in her quilting, sewing, and crafting for the church bazaar. Not only did Marjorie sew quilts for Lutheran World Relief, she insured that all of her granddaughters had a suitcase full of hand-sewn dolly clothes and taught many of them to enjoy sewing themselves. She loved playing Bridge, reading, crocheting, arts and crafts, cryptograms, jigsaw puzzles, old movies, and Hawk’s football games. She continued to enjoy these activities through her final days.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin, parents Henrietta and Norman Ellis and step-father Lloyd Baker, siblings Norma, Bonnie, and Jerry, and grandchildren Chad and Misty. She is survived by her brother LeRoy Baker, children Kathy (Ron) Olson, Susan (Gerald) Watne, Dawn (Mike) Lopach, Robert (Gina) Sorensen, Cindy (Curt) Little, and David (Liza) Sorensen, 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and dear friend Cindy Fish. The fact that so many of her progeny live in Helena is evidence of her encompassing love and strong family commitment.
Services and celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 6, 2014, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 3580 N. Benton, Helena MT, where Marge was a member for 51 years. Reception will follow the service. Interment will be at 1:00 PM at Forestvale Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 3580 N. Benton Ave, Helena, MT, 59601 or St. Peters Hospice, 2475 Broadway St., Helena, MT, 59601 in Marjorie’s name. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Marge.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 6, 2014
Our Redeemers Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Immediately following
Friday June 6, 2014
Social Hall of the Church
3580 N. Benton Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Interment
1:00 p.m.
Friday June 6, 2014
Forestvale Cemetery
490 Forestvale Rd
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 6, 2014
Our Redeemers Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Immediately following
Friday June 6, 2014
Social Hall of the Church
3580 N. Benton Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Interment
1:00 p.m.
Friday June 6, 2014
Forestvale Cemetery
490 Forestvale Rd
Helena, Montana 59602
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Angela says
No more pain, no more loneliness, no more.
My heart goes out to you my cousins, as I feel your pain, your loneliness, your no more, but faith makes us to have the strength to get us through these difficult times as we are left behind but knowing, one day, we shall all meet again in such a magnificent place that we can only dream about! I will miss my Auntie Marge tremendously and my prayers go out to all of you. She now has her wings to soar and watch us all from above.
Verna E. Waddington says
what a gorgeous lady…..my prayers are with you, Kathy, and all of your family.
Freddi Haab-Fiedler says
Susie – My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this time.
Tony Bruno says
My sincere condolences to the family.
Londa Routzahn Burns says
I know what a great mom you had. I will always remember her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.