Frances Sorenson

1931 – 2023

Frances “Fran” Marie Sorenson, nee Robertson, passed away on May 17, 2023 at the age of 91 at the Red Deer Hospital after a brief illness.

Fran was born in High River on August 21, 1931. She went to school in Innisfail and Red Deer. She obtained her teaching degree from the University of Calgary. Fran taught school at Hardindell, Condor, and Calgary to name a few.

She met the love of her life, William “Bill” Sorenson while teaching at Hardindell School. In 1965 they were married and shared 30 more happy years together, living part time between their farm in Rocky Mountain House and their home in Calgary. They had adventures with their team of Huskies – Shunda, Tawnie, Timber, Trapper, and Sammie. They enjoyed camping and had many adventures with the friends they made through the Good Sam’s Club and Western Orange Wanderers while travelling in their motorhome. After retirement, they also enjoyed many years living their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. Fran continued going to Apache Junction for a few years on her own after Bill’s death.

Fran was very astute and discerning, very wise and well-read. She enjoyed gardening, hiking, clogging, carving, flute playing, skeet shooting, Tai-chi, puzzles, crosswords, and reading. While her health allowed it, she enjoyed having flowers to tend to, driving to Rocky to visit Marlayne’s book store, spending time with Laurie at Leslieville, and attending the SOS family reunions.

In 2011, she moved to Victoria Park in Red Deer to be closer to family. She enjoyed selecting books from the library, some multiple times, and had a couple favorite authors, including Diana Gabaldon and Lee Child. She also found much pleasure in calling and playing bingo, playing crib and mah-jong, visiting with family, riding the rickshaw on the trails of Red Deer, and having a good cup of coffee with some kind of sweet treat, especially lemon pie!

Although Fran never had children of her own, she was loved dearly by many.

She is survived by her step-children, Ken Sorenson and Deborah Evans, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was pre-deceased by her loving husband, Bill in 1995, her parents, Ralph and Myrle Robertson, her siblings, Muriel, Roy, Maida, Bruce, and Dayne, step-children, Margaret, Ralph, Keith, Laurie (Dolores), and Marlayne.

Inurnment will be held in Rocky Mountain House at the Pine Grove Cemetery on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 2 pm.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on August 11, 2023 in Red Deer. Details will be available at a later date.

• Date : 2023-12-05
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home