Ruth Sorensen, a Seneca Falls resident who moved from Denmark to the United States with her family in 1955, died Nov. 5, 2026, at House of John in Clifton Springs. She was 97.
An obituary published Nov. 10 by the Finger Lakes Times on Legacy.com described her years caring for others as a nurse’s aide and home health aide, along with her interests in dollmaking, pottery and spending time with family.
Born in Jedsted, Denmark, she was the daughter of Hilmar and Anne (Lund) Thomsen. She grew up and attended school in Denmark, where she married Hans Sorensen on Dec. 4, 1949.
The couple and their young family emigrated to the United States on Oct. 6, 1955. Sorensen initially earned a living cleaning houses before taking a nurse’s aide position at Willard State Hospital, where she worked for seven years. She later spent another 10 years working as a home health aide.
Sorensen moved to Clyde in 1974 and lived there until 1991, when she returned to Seneca Falls. Her husband died in 1996.
While living in Clyde, she belonged to the Clyde Grange. Her interest in collecting dolls grew into making them herself, including dolls modeled after relatives and friends. The obituary described receiving one of those personalized dolls as an honor. She also made pottery and valued time with her family.
Her survivors include her daughter, Birgit (Lonnie) Doty; her son, Bjarne Sorensen; and grandchildren Glen, Lisa and Holly Helmer; Kirsten and Richard Doty; Aaron, Kenneth and Cristin Sorensen; and Klinton Osborn.
Remembering others from the community
She also leaves great-grandchildren Kaitlyn, Matthew, Adam and Arianna, as well as siblings, nieces, nephews and extended family in Denmark. Her parents, husband and a brother died before her.
The obituary announced visitation for Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at Doran Funeral Home, 4 East Bayard St. in Seneca Falls, with a noon funeral service to be led by Pastor Ray Torrey of Calvary Chapel Seneca Falls. Burial beside her husband at Springbrook Cemetery in Seneca Falls was also planned.
The obituary directed readers to DoranFuneralHome.com to read or listen to her life story.
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