Eunice Lucille Sorestad, age 82, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2011 at her home in Sedro-Woolley with her family at her side. She was born on June 26, 1928 in Dickinson, North Dakota to William and Jessie (Hewson) Schmidt.
Eunice moved to Sedro-Woolley in 1934 and entered first grade at Central School. She graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School as Valedictorian in 1946. While in high school and following graduation, she was employed as a secretary for the USDA Soil Conservation Service and Skagit Steel & Iron Works.
She was married to Ken Sorestad on June 26, 1948 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church where she was confirmed and a lifetime member. Eunice and Ken celebrated 62 years together. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a special open house in 1998 given by their three children.
While raising her family, Eunice worked as her husband’s office manager for 33 years in his State Farm Insurance Office until his retirement in June of 1988. She also assisted her husband in managing their Firview Apartments in Sedro-Woolley.
Eunice enjoyed traveling, including many vacations to Hawaii especially one in 1998 that included 16 members of her family. She also enjoyed several cruises with her sister and brother-in-law, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Eunice had fond memories of two motor home trips to the East Coast, one via the northern route and other by the southern route with their good friends Gladys and George Miller. Her family and faith in God were her life. Every holiday and special occasion would find her family gathered together at places like Penticton BC, Ocean Shores, Leavenworth, and Harrison Hot Springs.
Eunice loved to sing throughout her life beginning in elementary school and throughout high school where she sang solo and continued after graduation to sing at many weddings and funerals. She especially enjoyed singing in the church choir and in quartets and duets with her family.
She was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Women’s President, Luther League Advisor, Choir Member, and member of the Church Council. Eunice was a member of Gideon’s International serving as Vice President for several years and she also was President of the Women’s Auxiliary.
Eunice lived 76 of her 82 years of her life in Sedro-Woolley and she always considered it the best place in the world to live.
Eunice is survived by her husband, Ken Sorestad of the family home in Sedro-Woolley. Her daughter and son-in-law, Cinde and Scott Wakeman of Sedro-Woolley, son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Cyndi Sorestad of Sedro-Woolley and daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Mark Anderson of Burlington. Six grandchildren, Kristi Slette and her husband Tore, Lenny Warren, Mitchell Sorestad and his wife Courtney, Karridi Sorestad and her fiancé Brandon Mauer, Corey Meyers and Randilyn White and her husband Jesse. Three great-grandchildren, Tana Miller-Warren, Kailer Slette and Toriana Slette.
A sister, Alice Sackmann of Kenmore; sister-in-law, Ella Sorestad of Sedro-Woolley; brother-in-law, Roland Saethre of Pequot Lakes, MN and a sister-in-law, Bonita Small of Mount Vernon. Also numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Jessie Schmidt; a brother, Eldon Schmidt; brothers and sister-in-laws; Charles and Lorraine Peterson and Carlos and Gladys Gould; sister-in-law, Bernice Saethre, brothers-in-law, Adloph Sorestad and Richard Sackmann, and a nephew, Ronald Sackmann.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 3:00 PM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Walt Rice officiating. A reception will follow the services at the church. Visitation is available from 9:00AM to 5:00PM at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley on Thursday and Friday. Memorials are suggested to Cancer Research, Mabel Lyons Bethlehem Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund, or Gideon’s International.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Robert Raish, Dr. Bruce Mathey, Dr. Michael Erie, Dr. Dean Dietrich, United General Hospital, and Skagit Valley Hospital for the special care extended to Eunice.
Months have passed and you are still missed, Grandma Euni! We made it through Easter and Memorial Day and grandpa’s birthday, but there is a grandma sized space that many of us feel. Tears still roll, quietly down our cheeks for the loss we feel in our hearts. We really needed longer to prepare our hearts and to say good-bye. We have many new joys in our family–a new baby, an up-coming wedding, and the smaller joys like summertime activites. All bring joy and yet have a bit of bittersweetness knowing that you can not enjoy them with us.
We hold on to the fact, through faith–a faith that is a legacy to us from you and your parents–that we will be united in Christ and be fully restored in health and joy. We will sing together–yes, even me–“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” and in his temple we will no longer feel loss. For that, I am so excited. Until then, rest well, my dear Gram. The kiddos miss you, especially Little Miss. She misses your kisses and hugs. So do I! Fish lips kisses to you, from all of us.
Kristi
I was sorry to learn of Eunice’s passing today. I know she lived her life filled with love and faith. My thoughts are with Ken and all her family members.
How can I say goodbye to someone that made me who I am….taught me all I know and brought me into this world….I have learned so much from you Mom.
You were a women of such Faith and Strenght and you proved that every single day. When Dad had his accident you amazed every one of us with your ability to see him through…..and you NEVER complained.
You always put others before yourself, even up to the very end.
It’s going to be extremely hard to go on without you…but you would do it…you’d take a deep cleasning breath…look for inner strengh and pray for guidance…so I will try and do the same.
Easter,Mother’s day,your birthday….Christmas….all the special occasions that you so dearly loved…they will never be the same without you…We owe it to you to do our best! We will all try, that’s all I can promise you.
I saw what that Cancer did to you. None of us knew how sick you really were, you even stumped your Doctors. Im going to miss you every minute of everyday.
I rejoice for where you are now…
I am trying to be Strong….
I am not the women you were…but with God’s help I will strive to be.
Mom you were my EVERYTHING and I will miss you terribly.
You lived your life for this moment, so sing with the Angels Momma, sing to Glorify God! We filled the Church with music and singing, I hope that made you smile. Were you listening?
We will make it…it’s going to be tough but we will make it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My life has been BLESSED having you for my Mother.
With a broken heart I say Goodbye, until we meet again.
Your Daughter
Julie (or as you liked to call me Du du)
Although Eunice wasn’t my Grandma, she still held the name “Grandma Eunie.” Since I was little, we went to her family’s events, like Thanksgiving and Easter. But last Thanksgiving was one that I’ll never forget. We had just finished eating when some family friends rushed to the door at Julie’s house saying that Eunice & Ken’s garage had been flooding. Eunice said, “I know, but we couldn’t do anything about it when we left!” So, even though she had known all along that her garage was flooded, she just kept a smile on her face, didn’t say a word about it or think anything of it. Thanks to Mark and Scott, they fixed the problem! 🙂 She was a very sweet lady who everyone loved to be around and made WONDERFUL cookies. Eunice, you will be very missed, but please know…you will never be forgotten! We already miss you & will see you someday soon…
**Ken…you’re in my thoughts & prayers constantly. Hope you’re doing well! I’ll bribe my mom into making you a blackberry pie soon so we can share it. Love you ALL.
~Brynn
My thoughts and prayers are with all of my Sorestad cousins during this time of grief, but I know there was much celebrating in Heaven when Eunice entered through the Pearly Gates! There were crowds of loved ones eagerly awaiting her arrival. Our sorrow is for those of us left behind. I am grateful I will be able to be with you to celebrate her life. Eunice, and indeed the whole Sorestad family, have long been an inspiriation and comfort to me, and I pray I can return a small part of that. I love you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of great loss. May God comfort you and bring peace as you share stories and memories. And remember—You never need to apologize for your tears…..
My Mom. She was the focal point, if that is the correct word, of everything in my life. She was a strong woman and I learned much from just being around her. She was with me always in my thoughts, words and deeds.
She had the most profound “unconditional” love, just like her Mom, Grandma Jessie. I too inherited that. Thanks Grandma and Mom. This has seem me through many a time in my life.
Momma was a very private person, but had many friends that she loved and they cared for her. She had a tremendously big heart and was always sharing something she had with someon. Just the past few days I’ve been learning about things she had done, not ever hoping for any recognition, or that it would be known. What a wonderful person you were, Momma. Momma was also a “spitfire” as some of you remember. Momma wasn’t perfect and neither am I. She was a very meticulous and organized woman.
This was very evident in all she did. In her last days she was still trying to do everything as she use to. So sorry Momma that we didn’t know you were as ill as you were. Momma will be missed by many of you that held her dear to your hearts. My sympathies go out to all of my family members. and friends that mourn the loss of her in our lives
My husband Dan and I were honored to have had the chance to get to know Eunice before she passed.
We both fell in love with Eunice and Ken, with their senses of humor, love of music, and commitment to family.
Eunice & Ken allowed my women’s barbershop quartet to practice weekly in their attached garage.
Both Eunice and Ken would often wander in to hear us sing: Eunice to nod her head and hum appreciatively, Ken to give us his excellent advice for improvement!
Heaven is a better place now that Eunice is in it. And I expect, by the time we all get there, she will have it better organized, as well.
Love Amy
I am so honored to have been able to call Eunice “Auntie”. What a wonderful family she raised that accepts everyone with open arms. Eunice always had a smile and food, in fact, great food was always a part of any celebrations in the Sorestad family!
To my only “Auntie” “thank you for being a friend.” You will be so sincerely missed.
Love always, Jody
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ken and all of the family. Eunice was a wonderful, warm lady and she will be missed.
I was very saddened to hear of The Homegoing of Eunice!! She was a very precious daughter of the Lord and Im sure you will miss her Greatly!! I was privelaged to have met her while caring for–Gramma Jessie–in 1986-89!! IM living in North Dakota Now–and send my prayers to the family–during this very sad time for you!! May i share this verse from a poem with you—-It broke Our hearts to lose you but you did not go alone–for part of us went with you–the day God called You home!! Sincerely–Diane
Sorry to hear of Eunice’s passing. She was a special person and will be missed. The Sorestad’s bring back many memories of life on Maple Street in Sedro-Woolley when we were neighbors. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ken and family.