Joan Leona Muir Sorensen

Granny quietly passed through the veil on July 31st, 2025, to be with her Father in Heaven and beloved family members. Joann, as she was known to all who loved her, was born on July 21st, 1935, in Salt Lake City to Alma James Muir and Leona May Malstrom. She was preceded in death by her husband Darrell LaMar Sorensen the love of her life, her parents, her brother Ralph and sister-in-law Dorene Richards, a daughter-in-law Kathy, a son-in-law Pat Shankle and a grandson Jason (Hannah). She is survived by her children, Darrell “Kim” (Pamela), Scott (Robin), Doug (Kathy), Janet (Pat Shankle) and Stacy (Karl Stanfield). Granny was blessed with 11 grandchildren and their spouses and partners as well as 24 great grandchildren.

Her younger years were spent mostly in the Salt Lake Valley, primarily in Sandy where she attended school. While in high school Alma moved the family to Pocatello, Idaho for employment. Granny was sure her life had been ruined by this move. She spent most of the first year of school isolating herself from others when near the end of the school year two girls who had tried to befriend her approached her and asked: “What is your problem? All year we have tried to befriend you.” This began what would be a lifelong friendship with La Donna and Shirley. This friendship led eventually to her being introduced to Darrell LaMar Sorensen, her future husband and love of her life.

Throughout their young years together Joann and Darrell lived primarily in Utah but spent some time in California and Idaho. In 1965 the young family moved to Los Angeles where the family would grow up. During these years Granny was mostly a stay-at-home mom but did help with family income through various part time jobs as well as working as an apartment manager for several years which allowed her to be at home as the children grew. When 4 of the five children were out of the house Granny began a career in the furniture business, working for several years for Pacific Rattan in Los Angeles. When Darrell retired, they moved to Ridgecrest, CA where she continued her career in the furniture business as a salesperson for Mom’s Furniture where she proved to be a great asset and developed many close friendships. She remained in Ridgecrest for several years after the passing of her beloved Darrell. Eventually she returned to Sandy, UT to assist in caring for an uncle. She lived here until her passing.

Granny loved to spend time with her family. She hosted many Christmas breakfasts and fourth of July Bar-B-Ques at her house. Her family tried to get her to step back from these events as she got older, but her response was always: “No, I’m going to do this for as long as I can.” She loved to travel. She was always up for camping, fishing or trips to Yellowstone and made many trips to Northern, Southern and Central California to be with family. The most recent trip being in May & June of 2025, she was active until the very end.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 11th at the Sandy City Cemetery, 9000 South 700 East, Sandy, UT. A viewing will be held on Sunday, August 10th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Anderson & Goff Mortuary, 11859 S 700 East, Draper, UT. In leu of flowers please donate to Primary Children’s Hospital her favorite charity for which she has done much through her later years.