March 10, 1922 – Sept. 28, 2014
Phyllis Sorenson
Phyllis’ youngest daughter once joked that she thought some of her own friends liked her mother more than they liked her. This speaks to Phyllis’ deepest nature. She was fun, generous and interested, which helped those around her feel welcome and at ease. People loved Phyllis for this.
Phyllis was born March 10, 1922, in Enterprise, Oregon. When she was a young girl, her family moved to LaGrande, Oregon, where, at age 17, she met Wallace Sorensen. The two were married in 1942.
Wally served as a P-38 pilot in the Army Air Corps, and Phyllis moved with him from base to base until he was deployed to Africa. When the war ended, Phyllis and Wally moved to Nampa, Idaho, and later to Boise, Idaho. In 1990, Wally passed away and Phyllis moved to Issaquah to be close to her children.
Phyllis will be remembered for the twinkle in her eye and her subtle sense of humor, which she kept until her final days. She was careful, yet unselfish with her money. Phyllis had an eye for style and took pleasure in keeping her home and wardrobe simple and beautiful. She enjoyed reading and was curious about people.
Phyllis was not afraid to learn, expand her perspective and change her opinions, even in her later years. Phyllis was a great seamstress and she also loved to embroidery. Her meatloaf, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, coconut cream pie and playfully shaped pancakes will be greatly missed.
Above all, Phyllis possessed grace and dignity. She was steady, honest, loyal and strong in a way that seems almost old-fashioned these days, values of an era gone by. Upon hearing the news of her death, a friend said, “They don’t make ladies like that much anymore.”
Phyllis lived a life of her creation and died at age 92 with much of her family near.
Phyllis is survived by her three children, Judy Ford, Jerry Sorensen (Cathy Schalkle) and Kathy Jean Sorensen; two granddaughters, Kimberly Sorensen and Amanda Ford (Joe McColskey); stepgrandson Jon Schalkle (Vanessa Schalkle); and four great-grandchildren, Amani Sorensen, Isaiah Jones, and Ashley and Evan Schalkle.
Phyllis will be laid to rest at Cloverdale in Boise. Remembrances may be made to Eastside Baby Corner, P.O. Box 712, Issaquah, WA 98027 (or www.babycorner.org) or Idaho Youth Ranch, 5464 W. Irving St., Boise, ID 83706.
Full obituary with pictures may be accessed at www.flintofts.com.