Charlene Sorensen

Charlene R. Sorensen

"Char"

Age 65 of Dwight and formerly Waynesville, Illinois, passed to God's care on April 9, 2012 at Heritage Manor in Dwight.

Born October 11, 1946 in Morris, Char is a daughter of Leah Christensen of Gardner and the late Russell Sorensen. She was raised in rural South Wilmington and Gardner and graduated from Gardner-South Wilmington High School with the Class of 1964. Char attended Illinois State University and was a 1969 graduate of Silver Cross College of Nursing in Joliet. She worked for the Fox Center in Dwight, as well as various other State operated Developmental Centers as a registered nurse and administrator. Char was a member of Church of Hope in Gardner, where she served as an Elder, was a former member of Saint Peter's Danish Lutheran Church in Dwight, lifetime member and past district vice president of the Gardner American Legion Auxiliary Danner Madsen Post 663, member of the Danish Brotherhood of America, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.), belonged to the Gardner Seniors and also served as secretary for the Sorensen Reunion.

Char had a passion for gardening and also enjoyed collecting antiques, sewing, reading and playing cards. She loved to crochet and has left much of her 'handiwork' behind for others to remember her. Char loved to travel and was always up for taking a trip, no matter how adventurous. She loved cats and adored her special companion Bart. Her hours of genealogy, in which she collected alongside with her mother will never be forgotten, and she will forever be remembered for always being a special caregiver. Char cherished the time she spent with her nieces and nephews and was always so very proud of them all.

Survivors include her mother Leah Christensen of Gardner; brothers and sisters: Randy (Mary) Sorensen of Plattville, Lonnie (Sheila) Sorensen of Dwight, Gail (Richard) Decker of Braceville, Janice Cushing of Mazon, Richard "Rusty" (Barbara) Sorensen of South Wilmington, Jeff Sorensen and Darren (Dawn) Sorensen, both of Gardner and Holly (Alan) Nielsen of Dwight; four step-sisters: Kathleen, Sandy, Lynn and Bobbi; seven nephews; fourteen nieces; two step-nephews; one step-niece and numerous great nieces and nephews whom she thought dearly of. Char is also survived by Sharon Mortensen, whom she considered a sister, along with her family: William of Dwight, Debbie and David of California, Kelly (Mark) Bruce, Patricia Mortensen and her special "grandson" Landon, all of Dwight.

Char was preceded in death by her father; two brothers: one in infancy and Duane "Dewey" Sorensen; brother-in-law James Cushing; niece Katherine "Katy" Nielsen and step-father Robert Christensen.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held at Church of Hope, 202 North Monroe Street in Gardner on Friday April 13, 2012 from 10:00AM until time of funeral service 12:00 Noon. Pastor Jan Chandler will officiate and burial will follow in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Jeremy Sorensen, Michael Sorensen, Scott Decker, Zachary Sorensen, Mark Nielsen and Dane Sorensen. Honorary pallbearers will be: Peter Residori, Keith Benson and Jason Marques.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Char's memory to: Church of Hope, 202 North Monroe Street, Gardner, Illinois 60424; Gardner American Legion Auxiliary, 426 Industry Avenue, Gardner, Illinois 60424 or to the Hines Fisher House, 500 South 5th Avenue, Hines, IL 60141.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd., 203 Liberty Street in Gardner. (815/237-2526)