Irene Emma Sorensen, late of White City, and formerly Hardy, passed away peacefully on December 30 after battling cancer for several years. Irene is survived by her son, Steven and his wife Michelle, and their children Devin and Krisha of White City; her brothers, Roy Sellers of Regina, Allan (Betty) Sellers of Weyburn; her sisters, Myrtle Scheier of Esterhazy, and Roseanna Willis of Regina; one brother-in-law, Danny (Maria) Sorensen of D'arcy; along with several nieces, nephews and close friends that seemed more like relatives. Irene is predeceased by her loving husband of 55 years, Roy Sorensen (2010); her parents, John and Evelyn Sellers; her brothers-in-law, Harry Sorensen, Edward Sorensen, Henry Sorensen, Nick Scheier, Willard Willis and sisters-in-law, Alice Cristo, Esther Johansen, Annie Jensen and Patsy Sellers. Irene was born on the family farm near Ceylon on December 7, 1936. She lived there until her parents bought another farm West of Hardy in 1942 where they lived until 1952. Irene attended school at the Green Lake School in the Hardy district until Grade 8 and then finished her education at the Ceylon School.Upon completion of Irene's schooling she began work at the Berg general store in Hardy for about a year and then went on to teach school for two years at the Desmond School in the Bengough district. While teaching, the love of her life Roy Sorensen asked her to marry him and their inseparable life together began in October of 1955. After their marriage, Irene and Roy lived on the Willardsen homestead, located only miles from where they both grew up on their family farms. They lived there for four years before a bad drought hit the area which forced them to move to Rosetown. They lived and worked in Rosetown until acceptable farming conditions returned in the Hardy area in 1962. In 1962 Irene and Roy returned to the Willardsen homestead. Together they worked their land and kept their livestock. In 1965 they were blessed with their son Steven who now resides in White City. In 1967 they had the opportunity to move onto the Eskild and Mary Sorensen homestead where Roy had been born and raised. They accepted the offer and moved to the new location. Before moving to the Sorensen homestead Irene and Roy purchased the Green Lake School building and moved it to the Willardsen homestead. The Green Lake School building sat vacant on the Willardsen homestead until 1985 when Irene and Roy decided to move it to their present location and refurbish it. The building that they both had attended school at now gave them years of enjoyment as they used it to house and display all the antiques that they bought and refinished. Irene and Roy would frequently be seen attending auctions in the area looking for unique and unusual antiques that they could refinish and display. Irene became a very proud grandmother in 2007 when her grandson, Devin was born and again when her granddaughter, Krisha was born in 2011 to Steve and Michelle. Unfortunately in 2007 Irene was diagnosed with cancer. She underwent surgery and treatment that fall and winter. Irene was able to recover and return to the farm. She continued living and working with her husband in February of 2008. Irene and Roy lived and worked on their family farm with their livestock, gardens, pets and antiques. The coffee pot was always on for friends and family to come and visit with them, and view their beloved antiques. In 2009 their health forced them to move to Weyburn. Just as they were about to begin their journey into retirement Irene was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of her husband Roy in September of 2010. With the help of her close friends, relatives and two grandchildren, Irene coped with the loss of her husband. Irene continued to be independent and live in her own house in Weyburn until the spring of 2012 when her cancer returned. She reluctantly moved to White City where she could seek medical attention, and had the comfort of her grandchildren and family. When Irene's health became unmanageable she was admitted to the hospital on November 30, and then on to the Grace Hospice. She was able to spend her last Christmas with her grandchildren and family before succumbing to the cancer on December 30. Irene will be sadly missed by her two adoring grandchildren, her son and daughter-in-law Steve and Michelle, her immediate family and everyone that had the good fortune of knowing her. A special thanks goes out to the staff at the William Albert House, Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care and the Grace Hospice for your support and efforts in making Irene's last days as painless and enjoyable as possible. A funeral service was held Tuesday, January 8, 2013 from Victoria Avenue Funeral Home, Regina with Diaconal Minister Russell Mitchell-Walker officiating. Interment was at Ceylon Cemetery, Ceylon. Donations in memory of Irene may be made to the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic or the Grace Hospice. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn (306) 842-5432
