Josie M. Sorenson

Josie Maria Sorenson (born Maria Josephine Ramirez) was born to Alexander (Alejandro) and Guadalupe (Gonsalez/Albaref) Ramirez in Tijuana, Mexico, on September 21, 1943. Her Mother died of pneumonia when Josie was 40 days old. When her father, Alexander, decided to go to America, he placed Josie in the care of his grandmother, Teodosia Cisneros Ramirez, and her son, Tomas Ramirez Uncle of Alexander. Teodosia died when Josie was nine years old. Josie continued in the care of Tomas Ramirez until she was 12 ½ years old when Tomas moved to America. Tomas placed Josie in the care of his sister, Maria Castro, in Culver City. Josie began attending school for the first time at the sixth grade level.

At the age of 16, Josie was placed in the care of her Father, Alexander, and her stepmother, Nemesia, also in the city of Culver City. After about one year, Josie was returned to the care of her uncle, Tomas Ramirez, at the age of 17. Josie graduated from Artesia High School and then attended Cerritos College majoring and graduating in Technical Secretary. After graduating from Cerritos College, Josie worked at a number of different businesses with the last one being North American Rockwell in Downey, California. It was during this time that Josie met her husband, Jim Sorenson, and they married on April 13, 1974. They lived in Downey for four years and Hacienda Heights for one year before moving to Minnesota where Jim established a dairy near the city of Fairmont. In 1986, the dairy operation was discontinued and her husband was employed as a manager at paper mills in Circleville, Ohio; Monroe, Michigan; Pomona, California; Vernon, California; Ontonagon, Michigan; and, finally, Uncasville, Connecticut. In 2010, her husband retired and they returned to their home in Fontana, California.

Josie is lovingly remembered by her husband, Jim of Fontana; three children - Cindy Womack of Fontana, California, Steve Sorenson of San Bernardino, California; and Cathy of Brea, California; six grandchildren; eight sisters; nieces and nephews. Josie was preceded in death by her Father, Alexander Ramirez, her Mother, Guadalupe, her brother, Isaac, and her Uncle, Tomas Ramirez.

Josie was a fun-loving, generous, friendly, and cared deeply about others. She enjoyed animals (especially dogs), reading, gardening, television, her children and grandchildren, and her friends. She was a bold witness for Jesus Christ and led a number of people to salvation including her husband’s father just before he passed away. Josie liked to pray for people and, specifically, their healing of emotional and physical sufferings.