Genevieve Catherine Sorensen, age 102,
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, and friend.

Peacefully passed away on January 5, 2018. She was born December 6, 1915 in Bird Island, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband Max Elliot Sorensen, her parents Peter and Anna (Pichotta) Weis and 8 siblings: Raymond Weis, Frances (Weis) Braun, Susanna Weis (Sister Leone), Louella (Weis) Reimers, Leone (Weis) Salfer, Janet (Weis) Krueger, Cyril Weis, and Adelaide (Weis) Kindle. She is survived by her daughters Donna (husband Loren) Oberg and Shirley Just; grandsons Eric (wife Erica) Oberg; Cory Just (wife Lindsey St John); and Kyle (wife Kirsten) Just , and granddaughter Sara Oberg (husband Shawn Haarstad) and great-granddaughter Sierra Haarstad.

Genevieve grew up on her family farm in Bird Island, Minnesota. She had a love of music and took piano lessons until age 14, when she lost her hearing in a farm accident. Remarkably, she still played a duet for a graduation shortly after the accident. Her parents recognized that Genevieve would benefit from an education that was sensitive to her deafness and she briefly attended Faribault School for the Deaf before taking a train to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she graduated Valedictorian of her class at St. Rita's School for the Deaf. After high school, Gen moved to St. Paul, where she worked as a maid for several families on Summit Avenue. Before long, Gen met her future husband at Thompson Hall for the Deaf, Max Sorensen.

Genevieve used the strong work ethic she learned growing up on the family farm throughout her life. As a deaf woman and a natural leader, she worked hard for the Deaf community, striving towards equality and positive change. She was awarded Lioness of the Year in 1979-1980 from the Lioness Club of St. Paul Metro Deaf and while serving as their president from 1980-1981, Gen received the Distinguished Service Award. Her leadership was also recognized by the church, which awarded her Catholic Deaf Woman of the Year on July 8, 1983. Gen's talents were many, including baking, cooking, and crafts. She made embroidered dishtowels, sewed jewelry bags, aprons, and many other creations that she sold at craft shows with her daughter, Donna. She even made fudge and other baked goods with Donna for Prince while he was filming Purple Rain .

Those close to Gen knew her greatest strength was the unconditional love she had for her family and friends. She inspired people with her genuine love for life and passion for helping others. Gen's wit and cute jokes always put a smile on those around her. Those strengths continued with the residents and staff at Lyngblomsten Care Center where she lived over the last two years. Genevieve will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A funeral service will be held honoring her incredible life on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 701 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 with visitation at 10:00 AM , service at 11:00 AM , and a luncheon at 12:00 PM .