Loretta Sorum

Loretta M. Sorum, 90, of Waukon, formerly of Decorah, passed away peacefully Friday, January 2, 2015 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon, where she was a resident for several years. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 7 at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Pastor Stacey Nalean-Carlson officiating. Burial will be at Glenwood East Cemetery, rural Decorah. Friends may call one hour before services at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Family requests memorials be given to St. Jude's Hospital, Good Samaritan Home or Glenwood Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund.
Loretta Mae Sorum was born March 3, 1924 in Allamakee County, in rural Waukon, the daughter of Selmer and Juliet (Ehrie) Engen. She attended school in Allamakee County graduating from Waukon High School in 1943. August 21, 1944 she married Andrew Hartvig Sorum at  Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church. Together they farmed in Winneshiek County and were blessed with five children. She taught in the rural schools and at St. Benedict's School in Decorah. Along with homemaking, she decorated wedding cakes and later was a floral designer at the Waukon Greenhouse.
She was a member of the Glenwood Lutheran Church, WELCA and Circle. She served on the church council, taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. Loretta enjoyed quilting, flower gardening, playing cards, reading and especially spending time with her family and friends. She will be remembered for her boundless energy and passion for life.
She is survived by her five children: Ordell (Bonnie) Sorum of Decorah, David (Mary Lou) Sorum of Waukon, Jerry (Irene) Sorum of Medford, MN, Ardys (Donn) Johnson of Faribault, MN and Mary Jean Kolsrud of Savage, MN. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren: Erik (Connie) Sorum, Rona (Larry) Leliefeld, Andrea (Keni) Ewing, Dr. Scot Sorum, Paul Sorum, Melissa (Jason) Quillin, Brady Sorum, Brad (Hilary Helgerson) Sorum, Krista (Brendan) Cox, Kira (Mitchell) Anderson, Kali (Donnie) Stockman, Ryan (Selina) Kolsrud, Preston (Teri) Kolsrud, Michelle (Donn) Kolsrud-Paul, Stacy (Mark) Traxler, Ashley Kolsrud, Dawn (Troy) Zimmerman, Kim Hinchley, and Tracy Holmquist; 39 great grandchildren; one niece and four nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew, who died in 1995; her parents; one brother, Gordon Engen; a sister-in-law Christine (Sorum) Bruvold and brother-in-law Lester Bruvold.
Honorary casketbearers are Loretta's granddaughters. Casketbearers are Loretta's grandsons.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.