Clara L. Sorenson (Atkinson)

Clara Lottie Sorenson, 92, of Grayling, passed away quietly on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at Mercy Hospital. She was born in Grayling on May 6, 1918 to the late Marshall and Lottie (Starrett) Atkinson. She was married to Robert Carl Sorenson for 60 years. Clara had a strong faith and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where she played the organ for many years. In the good old days she loved to ski at the Skyline Ski Club and the Grayling Winter Sports Park. She volunteered for the Red Cross Blood Bank. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 50 years. She was recognized for her dedication to the GHS Alumni Association and was Grand Marshall of the AuSable River Festival parade in 1998. Clara and her friends (10 local gals) formed a sewing club in 1935, that later turned into playing cards (smoke) and met every two weeks. This friendship continued for 50 plus years. It was called "The Just Us Club," and sometimes the spouses were invited. She belonged to the Grayling Bowling League and also found time to be a Cub Scout leader. Clara and her husband owned and operated the South Side Grocery Store from 1935 to 1960. Clara ran the store mostly by herself. She even cut the porkchops and ground the hamburg. She was one of the persons instrumental in forming the Grayling Alumni Association which continued for 50 years . She received numerous awards for her services to the community. Clara loved Grayling and the people here. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; infant sister, Edna; and brother, Alex Atkinson. Clara is survived by her children: Nancy Cox of Grayling, Judy Sorenson of Saginaw, Norman (Mary) of Mt. Pleasant, John of Benton Harbor; grandchildren: Billy Cox of Cadillac, Joel Cox of Traverse City, Jamie Cox of Grayling, David (Stacey) of Rockford, Elissa Cox of Grayling, Brent (Angel) Sorenson of Benton Harbor, Mark Sorenson of Gaylord, Paula (Andrew) Starner of Mt. Pleasant, Kent Sorenson of Chicago; great-grandchildren: Angie, Alexa, Aaron, Amanda, Olivia, Danica and Hannah; and great great-granddaughter, Jaylyn Cox. Visitation will be held at Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home on Friday, July 16 from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 17, 2010, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 710 Spruce Street. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or the GHS Alumni Scholarship Fund. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clara L. Sorenson (Atkinson), please visit our flower store.