Mary Louise Sorensen, 88, of Watseka passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Gifford Country Health in Gifford, IL. She was born on October 23, 1935 in Wellington, a daughter of John and Ella (Lanie) Sheridan. Mary married Kenneth E. Sorensen in Hoopeston on January 14, 1958. He preceded her in death on March 10, 2023.

Survivors include three children- Kathy (Steven) Howell of Champaign, Michael Sorensen (Suzanne Seyfert) of Milford, and Karen McKinley of Champaign; one brother- John (Judy) Sheridan of Hoopeston; five grandchildren- Melissa Zavala, Christopher (Rori) Sorensen, Jacob McKinley, Lucas McKinley, and Nicolas McKinley; three great grandchildren- Javy and Ava Zavala and Madilyn Sorensen.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and one sister- Phyllis Davenport.

Mary was a member of St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka and C.C.W. She was a 1957 graduate of St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing in Danville, IL. She was a registered nurse for over 60 years serving at Cushing Memorial Hospital, Leavenworth, KS, Iroquois Memorial Hospital, Watseka, and Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee. She was also a parish nurse for St. Edmund Catholic Church and a lifetime member of Iroquois Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka with the Nurses Honor Guard Ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka with Fr. Michael Powell officiating.

Burial will be at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Woodworth.

Memorials may be made to St. Edmund Catholic Church or Iroquois Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.

Please share a memory of Mary at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.