On Thursday, May 1st of 2025, after living 86 fulfilling years of life, Betty Jane Sorenson passed on surrounded by the love of her dear family at Green Acres of Manistee.

Betty was born on February 3, 1939, as the youngest of 12 children born to Walter and Anna Dalke.  She attended St. Joseph Catholic School, graduating with the class of 1957.  On graduation day, she was presented with an engagement ring by her boyfriend, Rodney Sorenson.  They were married on October 26,1957 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee.  Betty went on to Beauty School in Traverse City and opened her own salon after the birth of her first son Chris in 1960.  Betty's Beauty Shop began in what is now the Painted Lady, then moved to Washington Street a few years later where it still stands today.  As the business grew, others worked for Betty, the longest being Elaine Reeves for over 40 years.  Her daughter Lori also worked for almost 30 years.  In 1972, Rod and Betty welcomed their second child Karen, and in 1973; Lori, and in 1974, Daryl completed their family.  Family was the most important thing to Betty.  She loved being involved in her children's lives at school, attending their sporting events, hosting their friends after school and running the kids wherever they needed to be. Raising her children was one of life's greatest joys for Betty.  Her famous comment to her kids was that she didn't care what they became, only that they were an asset to society.  She was always so grateful, almost surprised, that all 4 of her kids made their homes in Manistee as adults.  She was also very proud of them.

Betty officially retired at 62 but remained part of salon life, coffee in hand and stories to share.  She enjoyed socializing with everyone!   Upon retirement, Betty and Rod became snowbirds, first wintering in Las Vegas with Betty's brother Richie and later in Bonita Springs, Florida, staying in campgrounds where Betty continued to meet new people around the pool and playing bingo.  She always loved to camp and continued to go with her kids, grandkids and friends.  She was always welcome with the gang.

Retiring allowed Betty more time to spend with another of the greatest joys of her life, her grandchildren.  Being involved with their lives, babysitting whenever possible, picking them up from school, attending their school sings, band concerts, birthday parties and sporting events, no matter the weather, she enjoyed every moment!  Not much could stop her, not even the wind or rain, snow or cold.  She was each of the grandkids biggest fan.  She was so proud of each of her 5 grandchildren's accomplishments from pre-school to PharmD, sports and music, careers and new homes.  In the past year, she attended her only grandson's high school graduation and her granddaughter's wedding, both big highlights for her.

The adventure of travel was another one of Betty's great joys in life.  Her and Rod traveled the country by car, truck and with camper in tow. Some trips were more adventurous than they would have liked, winter travel could be like that.  Her vacations with her daughters and granddaughters took her further to Hawaii, Mexico many a time (she loved an all-inclusive), Punta Cana, Costa Rica where she zip lined and a few European tours. Florida became an annual trip the last 15 years in April.  She did a Christmas time cruise with the family and so many other adventures.  When asked to go somewhere, her normal response was "I don't see why not."

For many years during the summer, you could find Betty at the Manistee Golf & Country Club, especially on Wednesday mornings for ladies day.  Once again it was more about the socialization than the golf, but she enjoyed being outdoors walking the course with her golfing friends a few times a week for 9 holes of fun and laughs and hopefully not too many swings!  Of course this activity was always followed by lunch or dinner.  Dining out with friends for lunch was a regular activity for Betty.  It was never about where to have lunch, but who was coming and all were welcome to join.  The more the merrier.

The beach was the other summer love for Betty.  From a young girl on, she talked about taking her nieces and nephews she was babysitting to the beach.  Often after a day at the beauty shop working, you could find her sitting at the beach reading while her younger 3 kids had an evening swim.  Her travels and vacations often included the beach. Lunch at the beach during the summer was a treat with her daughters on their lunch breaks.  She loved to watch her grandchildren play and sit and visit with the ladies and maybe have an occasional high ball.  4th of July on the beach was a special all day affair with a late-day picnic as the group waited for the fireworks at dusk.

Betty was known for her million-dollar smile and kind personality.  She always made room for more, had time to stop and talk, enjoyed smelling the roses and admired the pretty flowers, and loved to watch the sunset.  She had an extraordinary life, living each day to the fullest.  She made others smile with her smile.  She had great faith, hope and love and made this world a better place.  She will be dearly and deeply missed.

Betty Jane Sorenson is survived by her children Chris (Deb) Sorenson, Karen (Marc) Bowerman, Lori Sorenson and Daryl (Rachel) Sorenson. Her grandchildren Courtney (Josh), Maegan (Nathan), Braydon, Bella and Bristol.  Her brothers-in-law Bob and Phil (Shelda) Sorenson. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive her.

Preceding Betty in death were her parents Walter and Anna Dalke, her mother-in-law Beatrice Sorenson, her husband Rodney on July 14, 2019 after 61 years of marriage, her infant grandson Blake, her 2 sisters Helen Maue and Bernadine Hagstrom and her 9 brothers Edward, Michael, Anthony, Joseph, Leonard, Felix, John, Raymond, and Richard Dalke.

Visitation for Betty will be held on Monday evening, May 12th, at Herbert Funeral Home from 6pm – 8pm.  Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated Tuesday, May 13th, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Fr. James Bearss.  There will be a visitation at the church beginning at 10am until the time of the funeral.  Burial will take place at Mount Carmel Cemetery where Betty will be laid to rest next to her husband Rodney.

For those wishing to remember Betty with a memorial, the family suggests the Stomp Out Cancer Fund (SOC): SOC Fund, PO Box 783, Manistee MI  49660.  soc-fund.org

The family would like to thank the staff at Green Acres of Manistee for the compassionate care Betty received while residing there since December.  Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee is serving the Sorenson family.