Juelle Hansen Sorensen

Juelle Hansen Sorensen of Farmington, Utah, passed away on November 16, 2018, at age 68, due to the effects of Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia.  Juelle was born in Bountiful, Utah, on May 24, 1950, to Dan Kirk Hansen and Dorothy May Kirk.  She was the fourth of seven children in her family and the third of four daughters.

Juelle graduated from Bountiful High School in 1968 and was an excellent student, winning a scholarship to attend Utah State University.  At USU, she met her husband Keith in a chemistry study group, and they fell in love.  They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 2, 1970.  Her father Dan was the recorder at the temple and officiated at their wedding.  Juelle earned a BA degree in Home Economics.  After graduation, they moved from Cache Valley to Farmington, Utah, which became home. 

Juelle and her husband Keith had three sons and one daughter in the following years. Juelle loved being a mother and her children knew her to be loving, devoted, and supportive. She made holidays memorable with festive decorating and delicious baking, using her exceptional sewing skills to make homemade “jammies” and other items. She loved to take old things and give them a new life, whether it was reupholstering an old sofa, sewing new boat cushions, mending a tear, or fixing a button.  She taught her children well–emphasizing the importance of using correct grammar, bargain-shopping, always having something green on your plate, and doing a job right.  She loved the sunshine and her favorite days were spent on a boat on the lake or, better yet, on a raft soaking up the sun.  She had a love of learning, and her family always joked that she should go on Jeopardy as she had an extraordinary ability to recall facts and history.  She especially loved puzzles and could be counted on to sit with her grandkids and work on one together.  She was a loving grandma and so proud of her grandchildren; they were the joy of her life.

Juelle loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and was grateful for her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She passed on her love of the gospel to her children, three of whom served missions for the Church.  Juelle served as a Primary president and in the Relief Society Presidency as well as many other callings in the Farmington Ninth Ward; she loved the members of her ward and stake.  She cherished the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land and to walk where Jesus walked.  In recent years, she and Keith served in a special ministry to prisoners in the county jail, comforting them and teaching them, often showing them love when no one else ever had before.

Juelle was known for having a special gift with flowers and gardening.  In the spring, her yard was a sight to behold, and countless people–loved ones, neighbors, even strangers–chose her yard for their wedding receptions.  She loved it when people took a minute to stop and enjoy all the colors and textures and hoped it would bring a smile to their face.  Juelle worked in the yard whenever she had a chance.

Her final years were very difficult as dementia took away a little of her personality every day, but she always tried to show love to those who cared for her and visited her.  Her sparkling mind struggled to reach past the illness, but eventually the light went out.  She left us far too soon, and we mourn for the years with her that might have been.

Juelle is survived by her husband Frederick Keith Sorensen, and by their loving children Kirk Frederick Sorensen (Quincy) of Madison, AL; Stephani Sorensen Whiting (Scott) of Midway, UT; Scott Michael Sorensen (Rachel) of Layton, UT; and Jeffrey Keith Sorensen of Kona, HI. Juelle and Keith have nine grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Linda Hansen Zobell (Gary) of Duchesne, UT; brothers Steven Hansen (Diane) of La Sal, UT, and David Hansen (Melony) of Farmington, UT. Juelle was preceded in death by her parents; her eldest sister Judy Hansen Knight (John); her elder brother John Hansen; her younger sister Marianne Hansen Harwood (Jay); and her infant grandson Elijah Frederick Sorensen.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Farmington South Stake Center, 695 South 200 East, Farmington.  Family and friends may call Monday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services.  Interment – Mendon City Cemetery about 2:30 p.m.