Joanne Barbara Sorenson, age 68, of Owatonna, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, at the Owatonna Hospital.

She was born May 3, 1934, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Ray and Henryetta (Jensen) Porter. Joanne graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1952. She married LuVerne Sorenson on June 6, 1952, in Albert Lea. The couple moved to Owatonna in 1959. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, serving on many committees in various capacities and playing in the handbell choir. She was also active in the American Baptist Women’s Ministries. She was a bookkeeper at Gopher Athletics, Hydro Ax, Heinz Insurance Company and Team Electronics.

Survivors include her husband, LuVerne &uot;Vern&uot; Sorenson of Owatonna; son, Reid and Dorothy Sorenson of Alta Monte Springs, Fla.; twin daughters: Joy and (Rick Stusse) Larson of Fairfax, Iowa, and Jean and David Parks of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughter, Elise Stewart of LeCenter, Minn.; 11 grandchildren; sister, Marian Westrum of Albert Lea; brothers: Ray Jr. and Ruth Porter of Albert Lea, D. Forrest and Lorraine Porter of Albert Lea, Keith and Dorothy Porter of Albert Lea, and Loren and Elaine Porter of Albert Lea; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Porter, and her mother, Henryetta Jensen.

Visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home. Owatonna, today from 4-8 p.m., and on Thursday at the First Baptist Church from noon to 1 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Owatonna. The Rev. Scott Engelhart of First Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will be in the Clarks Grove Cemetery in Clarks Grove.

Memorials are preferred to American Cancer Society, American Baptist Women’s Ministries, First Baptist Handbell Choir, or American Heart Association.