Ida Frances Sorenson

February 15, 2018

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Ida Frances (Fran) Sorenson, 97, was born on December 27, 1920, in Birmingham, AL, to Josephus Clay and Alsie Friddle. She passed away in Stillwater, OK, on February 15, 2018. She was raised in Birmingham and received the BA degree from Birmingham Southern College in 1941. She joined the Navy in 1942 and was in the second class of WAVE’s to attend Officer Candidate School. Following her honorable discharge at the close of WWII, she attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin where she met her husband, Helmer Sorenson. They were married on September 19, 1946, enjoying nearly 60 years of marriage prior to his death in 2007. The Sorensons moved to Stillwater in 1949. Helmer and Fran were the parents of four children: Sons Joe (Laura), Russell (Barbara), Lee (Elaine), and daughter Janet. Fran was very active in the Stillwater community, belonging to several organizations, including the OSU Emeriti Association, Lahoma, PEO, and played a key role in the establishment of the Sheerar Museum while she served as president of the Arts & Humanities Council. She was predeceased by her parents and husband Helmer. Fran is survived by her four children, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.