DORA SORENSEN

After passing the century mark in 2008, Dora passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2010. Very few people will ever see 100 years, much less do so mostly on their own terms. Dora did both. While she had some help over the last ten years, for the most part, she lived on her own. Dora took a tremendous amount of pride in her strength and independence, thus her accomplishment of 101 years. Surprisingly she was the least healthy of six siblings growing up. But that disadvantage growing up made her stronger as she got older. Dora was born on November 15, 1908, in Fresno. She grew up mostly in the Westpark and Madison District of Fresno outside of a few years in Santa Cruz. After graduating from Central High and then San Joaquin Business College, Dora and her brother Earl started a small diner, The Madison Inn. Then in 1936, Christian Sorensen (who went by Chris) of Mendota caught her eye and it wasn't long before they were married. Chris was an immigrant from Denmark that made his mark in the Central Valley by establishing one of the premier metal fabrication shops of the 1930's and 40's. He designed, fabricated and shipped equipment all over the world. After marrying Chris, Dora immediately started handling the bookwork for him with his business. She liked bookkeeping and helped Chris as much as she could with his business, Sorensen Machine Works. She also became an instant mother of four. Chris's first wife Anna passed away shortly after having their fourth child. A few years after getting married, Chris and Dora had one child together, Carol. After Chris passed away in 1952, Dora ran the business on her own until her daughter Carol and Carol's husband Harry came into the picture in the late 60's. Dora continued to work until her early 90's. When she stopped, it was only because her eyesight was starting to fail her. She did a lot of bookwork, which she loved to do and remained very active with the business for well over 50 years. Dora also took over her sister Ida's business in San Joaquin (Harralson Machine Works) with the help of Harry and Carol in 1977 after Ida passed away. Ida's husband Art started the business in 1934 after working for Chris in Mendota for a few years. Art had been gone for some time and Ida wanted her sister Dora along with Harry and Carol to run Harralson's. Dora and her daughter Carol had a very special relationship. They spent a lot of time with each other, both at work and leisure time. After Carol passed away in 2002, Carol's sons Alan and Erik tried their best to fill the void of Carol in Dora's life and look out for their grandmother. True to Dora's character, she managed to do what she has always done so well; adapt, look forward and find simple things day-to-day to take pleasure from. Dora's strong routine and moderate lifestyle served her well. The highlight for Dora in recent years was her 100th birthday party in 2008. Having her entire family together made her very happy. Some of Dora's favorite pastimes were golf and gardening. She also served on the Mendota Planning Commission for 15 years and she was a 50 year member of the Eastern Star. A door to the past has closed and along with it, a voice for many people long gone. The world Dora was born into was a vastly different place than the one she leaves. It's hard to imagine a person seeing more changes in one life time. What an amazing journey. Dora is preceded in death by her father Neils; mother Dorthea; brothers Carl, Lawrence, and Earl Ostergaard; sisters, Mary Applewhite and Ida Harralson; her husband Christian; sons Charles and Richard Sorensen; and daughter, Carol Hansen. She is survived by one son, Chris Sorensen; one daughter, Patricia Owens; along with 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. A Graveside Service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. STEPHENS & BEAN CHAPEL 202 North Teilman Avenue Fresno, California (559)268-9292 www.stephensandbean.com