Tess Sorensen

1914 ~ 2011

Tess Gardner Sorensen, age 96 passed away July 10, 2011 in Salt Lake City.

Tess was born on September 9, 1914 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the first of three children born to Wilford W. Gardner and Annie B. Gardner. She attended Forest Grade School, Irving Jr. High, East High, Utah State University, University of Utah and LDS Business College.

Tess was married to Keith E. Sorensen June 8, 1937. Together Tess and Keith purchased Stadium Gardens Co. and Hyland Floral Co. and worked side by side in the floral industry. They were active in the Utah Florist Association and the Northwest Floral Association, and made many life-long friends while involved in the floral business.

Tess was a very generous and gracious lady who loved her family and friends. She always looked beautiful, and continued to fool everyone by how young she looked. She tried to hide her age all her life until she was 95 years young when she discovered that people admired the many things she could still do at her age. She had a phenomenal memory and could remember everything, especially names of family members from previous generations. Even at 96, she was sharp for her age, and her family joked about how she had a better memory than anyone! She will be remembered for her great sense of humor. She would always enjoy a good laugh. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

She was an avid bridge player all her life, and played in several clubs over the years, rarely missing a game because she loved being with her friends. She also crocheted many baby Afghans for friends and family.

Keith and Tess were members of the Ambassador Club, Ft. Douglas/Hidden Valley Country Club, and Cottonwood Country Club. Tess was also a member of the Ladies Literary club.

Tess is survived by her daughter Karren Hagen (Russ) Goleta, CA., son David (Kathy) Salt Lake City, and daughter-in-law Jolene (Craig, deceased), Omaha, NE. She is also survived by ten grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, and by her sister Gloria Fenton of Cedar City, UT.

Her husband Keith, her son Craig and great-grandson Jeddai Sowards preceded her in death.

The family gives special thanks to Tess’ caregivers at the Wellington for the past five years.

Funeral services will be Thursday, July 14th at noon at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive, SLC. Friends may visit with the family at the mortuary from 11:00 to noon on Thursday. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Arrangements under the direction of Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, Salt Lake City, UT.