Valeen Sorensen

Salina, Utah –Shirley Valeen Olsen Sorensen passed away early Sunday morning February 3, 2013 in St. George Utah. She is an amazing woman who has been sick with Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and various other diseases for 40 years. Valeens life is a testament to what is truly possible if you refuse to put limits on yourself. Her life's motto that we will always remember her by is "don't tell me what I can't do" Valeen was born December 22, 1931, in Garfield Utah to James Edgar and Ruth Lenore Elman Olsen, both deceased. She grew up in Axtell Utah on the family farm, and attended Gunnison Valley high school. She married her high school sweetheart Dent G Sorensen on March 25, 1949 in Axtell Utah. They made their lifelong home in Salina Utah where they raised their family. Valeen was very active in her community as she worked with JC'ettes, she was instrumental in founding and organizing the Miss North Sevier Scholarship Pageant. Her loves included fishing at Lake Powell, camping, sewing, flower gardening, going to Mesquite, watching the Jazz, and cussing Jerry Sloan. She is survived by her husband Dent G Sorensen of Salina; her children: Dana Rae Sorensen of Salina; Craig Sorensen St. George; Denene and David Torgenson of Salina; Eddie and Sandy Sorensen of Cedar Hills; her brothers: Keith Olsen of Orem; Floyd and Gayle Olsen of Mesquite, Nevada. She has 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She is Preceded in death by her parents, and a sister in law Maxine Olsen. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Red Cliffs Regional Rehab Center, and Dixie Hospice Care who did an amazing job caring for Valeen in her final days. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 12 Noon in the Salina LDS Stake Center, 98 W 400 North in Salina. Friends may call for viewing from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM prior to services, or Wednesday evening from 6-8 PM at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 150 East Main in Salina. Burial will be in the Salina Eastside Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you please honor Valeen by making a contribution to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org/donate, or the National Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp