Marveen Beth Sorensen October 14, 1940 - September 18, 2026

Marveen Beth Sorensen
October 14, 1940 – September 18, 2026

Marveen Beth Sorensen was born on October 14, 1940, in San Diego, California, to Ottis and Mary Bawcum. In 1947, her family moved to Hilmar, California, where she grew up and attended Hilmar High School. Marveen was very active during her high school years, proudly serving as class President and Secretary, majorette and being honored as her high school Homecoming Queen.

On February 15, 1959, Marveen married Bud, the love of her life. Together, they made their home in Turlock and raised four children: Russ, Michael, Rhonda and Michelle.

Marveen was blessed with a large and loving family. She leaves behind her children, Russ(Cheryl), Rhonda Sorensen and Michelle(Mark) Rocha, her grandchildren Kayla Armstread, Jasmine Youngdale, Kyle Sorensen, Ryan Sorensen, Markelle(Brandon)Warder, and Markus Rocha and six great-grandchildren: Collin, Rikayla Armstread, Raya, Kaden Warder, Zeplyn and Weston Rocha. She is also survived by her siblings, Brian (Garnell) Bawcum and Jeanie Klotzer and many Nieces and Nephews she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ottis and Mary Bawcum; her son, Michael  and her grandson, Christopher Sorensen.

Marveen was a devoted homemaker and later began working for the Denair Unified School District in July 1983. After several years, she moved to the high school, where she became the principal’s secretary. She loved being around the students and especially appreciated having summers off to enjoy time with her family. She retired from Denair Schools in 2001.

Marveen was a woman of strong faith and was active in her church at Monte Vista Chapel. She cherished the close friendships she made with her Beta Sigma Phi sorority sisters and loved playing Bunco with friends. After retirement, Marveen and Bud also enjoyed being members of the All Seasons Rv Group, where they traveled, spent time with friends, and made many wonderful memories together. She loved playing games and cards, going to Reno and Black Oak, she also had a love for reading and watching sports with Dad.

She was the superglue of our family—always bringing us together, keeping us connected, and holding us through every chapter of our lives. She had a way of making everyone feel loved and cared for, and her presence brought warmth and joy wherever she went.

Marveen and Bud shared a love that was strong, caring, and unbreakable. Mom always showed such love and passion for my Dad. You would never see him leave the house in a wrinkled shirt. She would have dinner started before 5:00, and at 4:55 you could find her applying her lipstick so she could greet him with a kiss when he came home from work. They were the greatest example of what love truly is.

In the last couple of years, their roles changed. Bud became Marveen’s primary caregiver, taking care of her, doing the shopping, cooking their meals, and being her domino partner every night. Although those days were difficult at times, caring for her was exactly what he wanted to do. Their life together became a beautiful example of the promise, “in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

Our hearts are broken, and the days ahead will feel very different without her comforting voice and the beautiful smile that could light up any room. But Mom gave us something that will never leave us: faith, hope, love, and the foundation she and Dad built for our family.

Our parents’ strong faith gave us the foundation and hope we hold onto today. And because of that faith, we know this is not goodbye forever. We believe Mom is now in the place she spent her life preparing for—and that she is preparing a place for us, too, until the day we can hold her again.

Mom, you were truly one of the greatest gifts God blessed each of us with.

We love you, Mom. You will forever be the heart and superglue of our family.

A memorial service will be held at Monte Vista Chapel on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 1:00pm

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Westside Ministries in Marveen’s memory.