Sheila Yvonne Sorensen
Sheila Yvonne Sorensen
Marion
Sheila Yvonne Sorensen of Marion, Iowa, died peacefully in her home on Feb. 18, 2023. Celebration of Life will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 3, 2023, at Antioch Christian Church, 433 Cross Road, Marion. Cremation will be through Cedar Memorial and Iowa Cremation.
Shelia was born on Dec. 31, 1945, in Hamilton, Ohio, the oldest daughter of William and Virginia (Thomas) Calfee.
She graduated from Fairfield High School 1953, Miami University with a BA in English, University of Iowa with a BA in Computer Programming, and her MBA and PHD in Information Technology from Nova Southern University. Shelia’s career began in computers with APAC and Rockwell and finished doing what she loved-sharing her knowledge to others through teaching at Hamilton Business College and Kaplan University.
In 1988, Shelia began her long battle with cancer. Five separate times she was diagnosed (twice breast and three times non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and she battled each time with great strength and determination. Shelia’s source of strength has been her faith in Christ. During her treatments she would faithfully ask, “What do you want me to do with this Lord?” Her resolve was strong, and she found peace knowing that Jesus was her all.
Shelia loved watching sports, especially the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds. She bled black and gold for the Iowa Hawkeyes and treasured following all of her grandchildren’s sports and accomplishments. She loved to travel and is proud to have visited all 50 states, five of the seven continents and 197 of the 450-plus National Parks and Monuments.
Shelia was preceded in death by her parents, William (spouse Rose) and Virginia (late spouse Ralph); grandparents, James and Parlee; and younger sister, Stephanie Calfee.
Sheila is survived by her husband, Jim; brother, Tom Calfee (wife Carolyn); son, James Minnick (wife Vanessa); daughters, Tami Minnick and Alicia White (husband Brian); and stepdaughters, Tara Chesmore (husband Larry) and Tracy Sorensen. Shelia loved and adored her 11 grandchildren (Adam Cramer, Brianna Nguyen, Cody Soukup, Colt Dicus, Miranda Dicus, Dallas Dicus, Scott Dicus, Aidan White, Alex White, Caitlyn White, and Christian White), and three great-grandchildren (Cameron Soukup, Hadley Dicus, and Weston Stewart).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Shelia’s name be made to Antioch Christian Church to support its Rooted ministry.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com and iowacremation.com under obituaries.