Marie Leonires Sorensen

Marie Sorensen

Manti, Utah

Marie Leonires Aragon Sorensen, age 76, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 12, 2017, in Gunnison, Utah. Marie was a light and inspiration for all who knew her. Her positive and optimistic nature will influence her family for generations to come.

Marie was born on August 13, 1940, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, to Pedro Aragon and Francis Bacca. She graduated from Las Vegas High School where she was an honor student and had many friends. She met and then married Gary Sorensen on October 29, 1959, in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She became a mother to his four children whom she loved like her own. Marie and Gary together added three more children to the family. Their family was later sealed in the Manti, Utah Temple for time and all eternity on April 20, 1979.

Gary and Marie were dedicated partners, and enjoyed nearly 58 years of marriage together. After moving to Manti, she worked with her husband for Sorensen’s Manufacturing Company. Later in life, Marie went back to school and earned an Associates Degree from Snow College and a Bachelors Degree from Weber State College. Marie taught elementary school in Mt. Pleasant and Ephraim for many years where she influenced the lives of countless children. She was a dedicated, hard-working teacher who loved her job. She found joy in her students and loved keeping in contact with them for years after they left her classroom. After her retirement, she was often called back to assist Sanpete County School District as an interpreter for Spanish students.

Marie was a loving wife and mother. She dedicated her life to her family and her grandchildren. She loved supporting her kids and grandkids in all of their different activities. Marie was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many callings throughout the years. She loved serving as a missionary with her husband in the Spanish branch in Sanpete County. She looked forward to the Mormon Miracle Pageant each year where she volunteered to make costumes, helped provide dinners for visitors, and was an interpreter.

Marie is survived by her loving husband, Gary Sorensen and their six children: Mike (Leona) Sorensen, Fairview; Leslie (Kirk) Jacobson, Payson; Steven (Anita) Sorensen, Salt Lake City; Joyce Sorensen, Marysville, WA; David (Mindy) Sorensen, Richfield; and Bob (Britnie) Sorensen, West Valley City. She is survived by 21 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She is survived by her siblings: Demetrio Aragon, Albuquerque, NM; Priscilla McClendon, San Diego, CA; and Mary Torres, Murrieta, CA.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Carol Sorensen; grandson, Dennis Sorensen; and her brother, Eloy Aragon.

Funeral services will be Friday, June 16, 2017, at 11 a.m. in the Manti Red Church, 295 South Main Street, where friends may call Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Burial will be held in the Manti City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com