Joanne Marie Sorensen OBITUARY

Joanne (Jody) was born on March 10, 1930, in Pierpont, South Dakota, to Antony and Ida Triolo. She, along with her sister, Marilyn Tollefson, and brother, Dan Triolo, spent most of their school years in Pierre, South Dakota. During her senior year in high school, her family relocated to Eugene, Oregon. Following this, she pursued a Music Major at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. After college, Joanne reconnected and married her high school sweetheart, Lowell Sorensen. The Korean War led them to Okinawa, Japan, where Lowell served in the Army MASH, and Jody worked as a secretary, and where their first daughter arrived. After Lowell’s service, they moved to Vermillion, South Dakota, where Lowell attended Medical School at the University of South Dakota, and their next two daughters came. Lowell completed Medical School at the University of Washington in Seattle, where their fourth daughter was born. After finishing medical school with four children, Lowell had his residency in San Luis Obispo, California, where their son was born. Following this, Lowell joined a medical group in Los Gatos, where the Sorensen family moved in 1963 to raise their five children. Jody was actively involved in the community, participating in various organizations such as the local schools, Faith Lutheran Church, PEO, Ming Quong, the West Valley Choral Group, and the San Jose State Choral Group. Beloved by all who knew her, Jody lived a life full of kindness, cheerfulness, with an unwavering love for family. Her laughter and compassion brought smiles to everyone she met. Jody was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell Sorensen, her brother, Dan Triolo, her son, Tony Sorensen, and her grandson, Mike Walleen. She is survived by her four daughters, Becky (Curt) Walleen, Kerri (Lorenzo) Freschet, Lisa (Mark) Slater, and Tina (Joe) Young, her 10 adoring grandchildren and their spouses, and 8 great-grandchildren, all with whom she was deeply involved. She is also survived by her sister, Marilyn Tollefson, cousins, and nieces and nephews. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff and residents at The Terraces of Los Gatos, where Jody lived for the past several years. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service in remembrance of Joanne Sorensen on Saturday, July 27, at 1 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, 16548 Ferris Avenue, Los Gatos, California.In lieu of flowers, please take your special someone to a concert or play in memory of Jody.