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Western Illinois University

Joan Sorensen Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 29, 2024.

Sun City AZ - Joan Sorensen passed away on June 17, 2024 at her home in Sun City, AZ at the age of 80.

Joan was preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn Jakovich (2021), brother-in-law, Jake Jakovich (2014), and brother, Steve Sorensen (2011).

Born December 4, 1943 to Rita (Gunhouse) and Alvin Sorensen, Joan was lucky enough to grow up in a large and boisterous family in Mokena with four brothers and three sisters, a bevy of pets, misadventures, challenges and joys. The stories of Joan's exploits, including dating three Toms at the same time in High School and the ensuing "which Tom" confusion, will be retold for years to come.

Joan was a graduate of Lincoln Way High School, Western Illinois University, and John Marshall Law School. She started out her career as a high school English teacher, then worked for years in event planning before going to law school. Joan was partner in the firm Dombrowski and Sorensen, working as a fierce advocate for her clients.

Joan was an avid reader and crossword puzzler, enjoyed creating & trying new recipes, and exploring the world with her sister, Marilyn or best friends, Karen and Mary Lou to favorite places like Australia, China, Czechoslovakia, England, France, Honduras, India, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Vietnam and Thailand. Joan relocated to Arizona in 2022, hosting and cooking family dinners every Sunday for any and all who were available. It was during these times she entertained with stories of her travels and life as a lawyer, debated with her brother, and experimented with plant-based recipes for her sister. Joan always said she lived with no regrets, and every day she got to look out at the lake from her kitchen stool was a great day, despite the challenges to her health.

Joan is survived by her siblings, Diane of California, Laurence (Yvette) of Illinois, Robert (Teena) of Arizona, Allen of Arizona, and Patricia (Jason) Kiel of Arizona. She was a special aunt to: Tyler Ekstein, Zachary Moore, and Nathaniel (Kristin) Moore, John "Jake" Jakovich, Jason (Amanda) Jakovich and Joseph (Shannon) Jakovich, Larry (Kristy) Sorensen, Michael (Phil Burns) Sorensen, and Stephanie (Kristy Oliva) Sorensen, Jake (Jesse) Sorensen and Caitlin Sorensen, Natalie (Patrick) Dejean, Mandy (Wayne) Johnson, Meredith (Aaron) Palmer, and A.J. (Taylor Wolfram) Zang, as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews, cousins & close friends.

Joan wished to be cremated and her cremains sent off in Viking fashion aboard a boat ablaze on a lake. However, realizing this wasn't legal, she asked to be placed in her Tibetan Pagoda with her best (furry) friends Amber, Nikolas and Goliath.

A gathering to celebrate Joan's life will be held later this summer in Illinois.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Josette Belvedere

June 30, 2024

When I first started out as a lawyer, I wanted to try a case. Joan made that happen and was my mentor throughout that process and my ensuing career. She was so knowledgeable. I could come to her with the most complicated, convoluted legal issue, and she could sort it out with me -- offering invaluable insights. But our relationship was so much bigger than merely professional. Over the years we shared literally hundreds, if not thousands, of dinners, shows operas and events together (along with our many professional activities). I will always love Joan and miss her terribly. A light in my life is diminished. Even though in its most recent incarnation our friendship was separated by many miles, we always talked. And when we did, we could easily have been face to face -- so complete was our understanding of one another. In recent years (neither of us aging in reverse) we realized some day we would be moving into the ultimate challenge of passing from our earthly confines. And when we spoke of this, we always agreed that we had been fortunate to have enjoyed very full and exciting lives made even more enjoyable by our lifelong friendship. Because of our good fortune, Joan always said when the time came, she would be ready. Joan, I hope I get to see you in the next life. I love you always. Josette