Phyllis E. Sorenson

Phyllis Elaine (Wilms) Sorenson passed away March 23, 2017 surrounded by family at her home in the Gardens of Forest Park Village, Wausau, WI. Elaine was born January 15, 1930 on her parents' dairy farm in Neenah WI. The fourth of eight children, Elaine had fond memories of a simple, but rich life of family gatherings and hard work. She attended a one-room schoolhouse for much of her grade school years and graduated from Neenah HS in 1947. Elaine had ambitions to become a nurse, but all that changed when, in order to find work, she moved to Racine, WI. There she met and fell in love with Herbert Sorenson, the man who would be her husband for 55 years until his death in 2005. They married in 1949 and from that moment on, her skilled organization, compassion and caring were dedicated to raising her family of six children. Elaine was a gifted gardener, quilter and baker. She expressed love for her family in everything she did whether it was picking strawberries for making jam, sewing a prom dress or preparing a holiday meal. Her energy, wit, generous spirit and warmth were evident in every setting, winning her many dear friends. Elaine lived most of her adult life in Racine, putting her innate mechanical skill to work for Western Printing and Publishing for over 30 years and serving as an active volunteer and member of the First United Methodist Church. In her retirement, she became an avid quilter as part of her church's quilting group as well as an enthusiastic reader and traveler. A solo adventure to Lake Louise in Canada was a dream come true. In 2002, she and Herb moved to Wausau to be near son Jeff and his family where she once again volunteered as a member of the First United Methodist Church and read to elementary students at Hawthorne Hills. Her greatest passion and delight was being a part of the lives of her children and grandchildren in any way possible. In 2005 a diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy presented Elaine with many physical challenges, but in her own quiet, modest way, she met each obstacle with humor, acceptance, determination and grace. We have all learned from her remarkable example and will miss her sweet smile, the twinkle in her eye, her sympathetic ear and her many expressions of love. Elaine leaves behind five children: Jim (Suellen), Jeff (Jennifer) and Wendy (Kurt Squire) Sorenson, Terri (Gary) Gildin and Sally (Scott) Farnsworth; ten grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and five siblings: Joyce Reid, William, Philip and Samuel Wilms and Kathleen Eger. Her parents, Forrest and Lavina Wilms, husband, daughter Sandra Lynn, and brothers Sheldon and Wallace Wilms predeceased her. Her family wishes to thank Elaine's dedicated caregivers at the Gardens for the respect, kindness and compassion they showed her every day. Elaine's wish is to be cremated. A memorial service will be scheduled for later this summer. Donations in Elaine's honor may be made to the Cure PSP Foundation. http://www.psp.org/donate/ Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.