Ruth Delores Sorensen

Ruth’s athletic ability was evident in her basketball prowess; she was a star player on the girls basketball team and later found that she was a top scorer, which she reflected on humbly. After graduating high school, Ruth was in nursing school awhile, then became a NW Bell telephone operator. She met a very attractive, tall, blond young man at a local café. While dating, the two danced to Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, and Glenn Miller. Jim Sorensen fell hard for Ruth, and theirs was a rare and passionate love. After much persistence on his part, they married in 1949, and moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where Bruce was born. They moved to Loves Park, Ill., where Kathy, Paul and Mary were born.

Ruth was a stay-at-home mom, participated in choir, was a Brownie mother, Cub Scout den mother, was on church committees, and for enjoyment bowled, went fishing, camping and golfed. Later on as an empty nester, she belonged to a gourmet club, book clubs, a bridge club, and garden club. Ruth and Jim produced a lovely and thriving garden landscape for all of their homes, which after Loves Park, included Muskegon, Mich., Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., Chillicothe, Ohio, and finally Hood River, Ore., from 1989 to the present.

Her modesty, one of her many admirable qualities, led her to be critical of her culinary efforts. In Ruth’s mind, her meals were “not quite what she wanted,” while those eating couldn’t imagine a more delectable meal. Her pies were masterpieces, a skill learned from her mother. She loved visits from friends and family and felt this always required feeding them, especially sweets.

Ruth is survived by her two sisters, Barbara Mohning, of Garnavillo, Iowa, and Marge Hamann, of Elkader, Iowa; her daughter Kathy Oates and husband Mike of Hood River, Ore.; her son, Paul Sorensen and his wife Sue, of Oregon City, Ore.; and her daughter Mary Stunz, of Hood River. Her grandchildren include Jessica Storm and husband Eric of Portland, Ore., Sarah Fox and husband Bob, of Hood River, Corinne Dichter and husband Russell, of Hood River, Elizabeth Stunz of El Paso, Texas, Jimmie Oates and wife Katrina, of Hood River, Teresa Fangamou, of Hood River, and Becca Stunz, of Moscow, Idaho. Ruth’s great-grandchildren include Kristin and Justin Fox, Sante and Elliott Storm, Mawa Fangamou, and Jacqueline Ruth Dichter, and many nephews, nieces and other relations.

Those who have predeceased her include her two brothers, Edward and Bernard Burlingame, her sisters Dorothy Hedeman and Gladys Mentzel, her husband, Jim, and her son Bruce.

All of her offspring are united in their admiration of this elegant, kind, and wise woman. Ruth had a wry sense of humor, a bright smile, an uplifting outlook combined with a gentle nature, and verve and stubbornness that commanded respect. Ruth was knowledgeable and ardent in her political views, she read regularly, and informed herself of the contemporary world, which has changed greatly throughout her life. She assimilated and took it in stride, with grace.

Ruth’s absence is a painful reality, but her legacy will be carried on through the lives of all she has touched. Her answer to life’s troubles was to love each other. We love you, Ruth.

A service to honor Ruth is planned for Monday, Oct. 19, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1501 Belmont Ave., Hood River; viewing at 9:30 a.m., Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m., with graveside rites to follow, then a reception.

Memorials are encouraged to be made in Ruth’s name to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000. Please visit andersonstributecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.