Shirley Jean ”Jelly Bean” Sorenson, 82, of 2362 S. Third Avenue, Alpena, passed away at home on Wednesday, June 13, 2012.

Shirley was born in Alpena, Michigan on January 16, 1930 to the late Lee Van and Carrie (Wade) Irwin and married Keith Randall Sorenson on April 5, 1946.  He preceded her in death on September 25, 2000.

Mrs. Sorenson worked at Pierce Nursing Home, Top’s Restaurant and S.S. Kresge, where she got her nickname “Jelly  Bean.”  A friend of her husband, Keith, could never remember her name so he started calling her “Jelly Bean” and everyone else did too.

Shirley loved working around her yard planting flowers, watching them grow, seeing birds building nests and eating at the bird feeder, rides with her sister, Joanne, while looking for deer and wild turkeys, and visits to Knaebe’s apple farm.  She enjoyed getting together to play cards and was a member of a card club for years.  Shirley taught 3 of her 5 children how to swim but never knew how herself.  Once everyone moved from home, she took swimming lessons at the pool with her oldest daughter, Sandra.

Shirley considered her family her greatest gift - her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She enjoyed all the birthday celebrations, taking the grandchildren different places for rides, visits to Mackinac Island and Disney World, and visiting her children in Nevada, Mount Rushmore, the U.P., and Canada. 

Surviving are 5 children, Sandra (Gary) Metzke, Patricia (Damian) Kendziorski, Keith Sorenson Jr., Kathy Pinkerton, Oscar (Kim) Sorenson; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; 1 sister and best friend, Joanne Weinke; and 2 brothers, Harvey (Annette) and Clyde.

Preceding her in death were a daughter, Judy; 2 sisters, Barbara Leavesley, Gladys Wagner; and 2 brothers, Lee Irwin Jr. and William Irwin.

Memorial visitation will be held at the Bannan Funeral Home Saturday, June 23, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12:00 noon with Rev. Leslie Nye officiating.

Inurnment:  Pilgrims Rest Cemetery

Memorials:  Hospice of Michigan