Obituary for Sheila Sorensen

Sheila Yvonne Sorensen of Marion, IA, died peacefully in her home on February 18, 2023. Celebration of Life will be held from 10-12 on Friday, March 3, 2023, at Antioch Christian Church, 433 Cross Road, Marion. Cremation will be through Cedar Memorial and Iowa Cremation.

Sheila was born on December 31, 1945, in Hamilton, OH, the oldest daughter of William and Virginia (Thomas) Calfee.

She graduated from Fairfield High School 1953, Miami University with a BA in English, University of Iowa with a BA in Computer Programming, and her MBA and PHD in Information Technology from Nova Southern University. Sheila’s career began in computers with APAC and Rockwell and finished doing what she loved-sharing her knowledge to others through teaching at Hamilton Business College and Kaplan University.

In 1988, Sheila began her long battle with cancer. Five separate times she was diagnosed (twice breast and three times non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and she battled each time with great strength and determination. Sheila’s source of strength has her faith in Christ. During her treatments she would faithfully ask, “What do you want me to do with this Lord?” Her resolve was strong, and she found peace knowing that Jesus was her all.

Sheila loved watching sports, especially the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds. She bled black and gold for the Iowa Hawkeyes and treasured following all of her grandchildren’s sport and accomplishments. She loved to travel and is proud to have visited all 50 states, five of the seven continents and 197 of the 450+ National Parks and Monuments. 

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents William (spouse Rose) and Virginia (late spouse Ralph), grandparents James and Parlee and younger sister Stephanie Calfee.

Sheila is survived by her husband Jim; brother Tom Calfee (wife Carolyn); son James Minnick (wife Vanessa); daughters Tami Minnick and Alicia White (husband Brian); and stepdaughters Tara Chesmore (husband Larry) and Tracy Sorensen. Sheila loved and adored her eleven grandchildren (Adam Cramer, Brianna Nguyen, Cody Soukup, Colt Dicus, Miranda Dicus, Dallas Dicus, Scott Dicus, Aidan White, Alex White, Caitlyn White, and Christian White), and three great grandchildren (Cameron Soukup, Hadley Dicus, and Weston Stewart).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Sheila’s name be made to Antioch Christian Church to support its Rooted ministry.

To leave a condolence please visit the obituary for Sheila on Cedar Memorial