Gertrude Leah Sorenson

Gertrude Sorenson, age 97, died peacefully in her sleep at Valley View Estates on July 25, 2011.

Gertrude Leah Jaques was born November 18, 1913 in Millboro, South Dakota, the oldest of four children born to Joseph F. Jaques and Pearl Ora Patterson Wicker Jaques. The Jaques family moved to Eastern Montana in 1928 where Gertrude attended school, graduating from Circle High School in May 1932.

While still in high school, Gertrude caught the attention of Mark Sorenson, a teacher in the nearby community of Brockway. After a year of courting, Mark and Gertrude were married in Wolf Point, Montana on August 20, 1932. They made their home in Brockway and were blessed with 2 children: Betty Irene, born in 1933 and Donald Keith, born in 1934. In 1935, Gertrude and family moved across the state to Alberton and lived there until the start of World War II, when Mark became a civilian draftsman for the US Navy and the family moved to Philadelphia. At the end of the war, they returned to Montana, settling in Hamilton.

Gertrude was a meticulous homemaker and housekeeper and had a fine eye for detail. She was an accomplished seamstress, did needlework, and also made beautiful hand crocheted afghans for each of her grandchildren and other family members. One of Gertrude's many hobbies was ceramics. She had a small studio and kiln in the garage and taught ceramics classes there for several years. Gertrude was the proprietor of Mode O' Day and was a bookkeeper and sales clerk for several Hamilton businesses, including
JC Penney, and Peterson Paint and Glass.

Gertrude and Mark were avid card players attending or hosting bridge, pinochle, or other card games several times each week. They enjoyed gardening and had a beautiful yard, a well tended vegetable garden and small orchard at their Kurtz Lane home. In their retirement Mark and Gertrude spent many winters traveling to Wickenburg, Arizona as "snowbirds". They became interested in rock hounding and shared their treasures with family and friends.

Gertrude was very involved in the community as a volunteer for the Ravalli County Museum, the Hamilton Senior Center, and served on local election boards.
She was Past Matron for Leona Chapter #31 Order of the Eastern Star; Past Mother Advisor for Rainbow for Girls; Past President of AARP (local chapter); and held offices as a member of The Federated Church and Church Circle in Hamilton.

Gertrude took quiet pride in the accomplishments of her family and throughout her life kept numerous journals and scrapbooks chronicling her life and the adventures she shared with Mark and her children as well as the achievements and milestones of her grandchildren and greats.

Gertrude was predeceased by her parents, Pearl and Joe: husband of 65 years, Mark; son, Don; brothers, Tom and Paul; and half brothers, Frank, John, and Sam Wicker.

She is survived by her sister Mary Hopkins; daughter Betty (DeWayne) Smith; daughter-in-law Patsy Sorenson; grandchildren: Linda Smith, Carol (Todd) Van Bramer, Susan (Lonnie) Wetzsteon, Marilyn (Garvin) Jones, Scott Sorenson, Gail (Larry) Batchelder; great grandchildren: Heather (Tom) Wagner, JR (Dawn) Jennings, Zach Batchelder, Ashley Batchhelder, Tracie (Bryon) Hope, Cory (Angela) Wetzsteon, Andy Wetzsteon, Hunter Van Bramer; great great grandchildren: Logan and Lauren Wagner, Christopher and Jackson Jennings, Ashly Hope-Stratton, Mckenzie Hope-Ramirez, Taylor Hope, Abigail Grace Wetzsteon; and great great great grandchildren: Makiyah and Kaydan Stratton, and Destiny and Rylee Hope; and a large extended family of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Scott Sorenson, Lonnie Wetzsteon, Cory Wetzsteon, Andy Wetzsteon, Todd Van Bramer, Hunter Van Bramer, Bryon Hope, JR Jennings, Larry Batchelder, Zach Batchelder, Tom Wagner, and Garvin Jones.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made to Sapphire Lutheran Homes, The Federated Church, or a charity of the donor's choice.

We would like to extend our profound thanks and gratitude to the staffs at Sapphire Lutheran Homes and Valley View Estates Nursing Home for all the support, love, and kindness you have given to Gertrude and our family over the years. We have been truly blessed by you all.