Jane Yost Sorenson: Daughter of Edmonds Pioneers Leaves Lasting Legacy

Jane Yost Sorenson died Feb. 20 at the age of 93. The following obituary is courtesy of .

"Emma" Jane Yost Sorensen passed away February 20, 2012. She was born in Edmonds on May 12, 1918, to Edmonds pioneers Maude Evans Yost and Jacob Yost.

Jane attended Edmonds Schools, graduating in 1936. During these years she was active in music groups playing the piano and singing, which became a lifelong passion. She was Worthy Advisor of Edmonds Rainbow for Girls, served in state offices and traveled alone by train to attend the National Rainbow conference in Boston (1936).

She married her high school sweetheart, Roy P. Sorensen, and they had 62 wonderful years together raising their family and enjoying all that Edmonds, Puget Sound and Lopez Island area offered. They swam off log booms in front of the Quality Shingle Mill (now Senior Center, and they have a memorial bench at this location); took the train to Hyatt; and motor trips to Mt. Rainier to ski, at a time when they had to carry their skis up the mountain in order to ski down. With their family they boated, water skied and took many fun-filled camping and hunting trips.

Jane and Roy had three children and loved being involved with them and their extended families. She was active in the PTA, Scouts, Ski School; chaperoning the Canteen dances at the Masonic Temple, teaching young teens ballroom dancing, and directing the children's church choir. She remained a cheerleader for all the events of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. With all these activities she still found time to work at Ewing Electric, National Bank of Commerce, The Seattle World's Fair and in the administration offices of the Edmonds School District and districts in Kansas and Texas.

Jane's love of music led her to enjoy being a part of the Edmonds Music and Art Club, The Sno-King Chorale, the Methodist Church Choir and the Sound Singers. She also loved to dance and learned all the new trends as they came along. Jane was a golfer and belonged with Roy, to the Lopez Island Golf Club and the Nile Temple Country Club.

Jane adopted her husband's Norwegian family and culture with enthusiasm and they made several trips to Norway, visiting family in Honefoss and Oslo. They traveled the world making many trips with the Shrine group.

Jane was an admirable woman with great conversation skills and a brilliant memory. She was a skilled storyteller who connected her family and friends in a great circle of life.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and siblings, Irma Howlett and Steve Yost.

She is survived by children, Robin (Jim) Gates, Paul (Donna) Sorensen and Ann (Bud) Baker; six grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sisters Aletha Handran, Evelyn Ewing, Molly Howlett; and many extended family members.

Memorial services will be Monday, February 27, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Edmonds United Methodist Church.

Remembrances can be made to the Edmonds United Methodist Organ Fund, 828 Casper St., Edmonds, WA 98020.