Alice Marie Sorenson

Alice Marie Sorenson died on Thursday, August 30, 2007. She was born October 7, 1928 in Weiser Township, North Dakota, to Louise Hoffman Kolberg and Arthur Martin Kolberg, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Bruce; daughters, Jody, Jan Jay Aalsma, LeAnne and Chrissie Andy Cohen. Her daughter Alisa preceded her in death, as did her brother Jack. She is also survived by her sister, Leone Ted Langemo; a granddaughter, Hannah; and three grandsons: Quinn, Mickey, and Eli.

Alice graduated from high school as Valedictorian of her class and a tuition scholarship made it possible for her to attend Jamestown College where she graduated Cum Laude in 1949, majoring in English and Speech. She taught at every level of education: Freshman English and Business at Jamestown College; high school English at Linden-McKinley in Columbus, Ohio; English and American History at Pat Neff Middle School in San Antonio; the elementary grades at Brighton; as well as 43 first graders at Medill Elementary in Chicago in her first year of teaching in public schools.

"She liked whatever she looked at, and her looks went everywhere." Browning's "My Last Duchess" She also taught Sunday School, played the piano, supervised teachers and Bible School, and was active in UMW and on church board committees.

After hearing President Kennedy's appeal for mental health professionals, she enrolled at Worden School of Social Work, graduating first in her class. Following an internship at Beech Pavilion and Child Protective Services, she worked at the Salvation Army Home and Hospital, RSVP, Planned Parenthood as Problem Pregnancy Counselor, Youth Alternatives, Bexar County Women's Center, St. Luke's Hospital, La Familia and Rehabilitation Counseling Services and for several years maintained a private practice with Dr. Irv Loev.

She recently retired from her very active professional life in the spring of this year after 40 years of being an active member of NASW, licensed by the state as a Clinical Social Worker.

In addition, Alice was very dedicated to community service in numerous volunteer activities close to her heart, and continued to volunteer at least one day a week after "retiring." She worked with Anne Whitehead, retired Salvation Army social worker, to establish the Battered Women's Shelter in 1976, the second such shelter in the State of Texas, and continued to serve that agency as Board officer and two years as Board President simultaneously Board Chair at the YWCA.

She also served as officer of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary and President of the CPA Auxiliary. In 1983, she was the "Express-News" Volunteer of the Year.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 4th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Porter Loring on McCullough.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Alisa Sorenson Scholarship or Alisa Sorenson Library

Fund at Texas Lutheran Fund at Texas Lutheran University, 1000 Court Street, Seguin, Texas.