Susan M. Sorenson

Susan M. Sorenson age 84, passed away at her home with her children by her side on June 15, 2026, after battling a very private and courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Racine WI on October 29, 1941. Daughter of the late Frederick and Mildred (nee: Schmitt) Wiechmann. She married her high school sweetheart the late Douglas C. Sorenson on April 4, 1964. Mom loved reading, gardening, nature, years of camping with our family, kayaking, canoeing, and being outdoors. Mom was both an artist and a poet. In the 1970's she studied with her mentor artist John Goray who influenced and encouraged her to pursue her deep passion for art. Over the next 50+ years she would go on to teach adult drawing classes, do private tutoring, and her art would be shown in juried and invitational exhibits throughout Wisconsin and receive many awards. Her work would also go on to be represented in Racine Art Museums permanent collection, Golda Meir Special Collection Library at UW Milwaukee, Artists Gallery Racine, and many private collections. She was a founding member of The Artist Gallery in downtown Racine and has been there for 28 years. Mom beamed when she spoke of her art and her studio that she loved so much. It was her place of peace and creativity. We cannot possibly do justice to the breadth of her work and spectacular accomplishments as there is so much. What we can do is share her artist statement. "I think of my mixed media abstractions as layers of intuitive thought, all about feelings, sounds and rhythms; spoken in the symbolic language of color, shape and the drawing mark.

My process starts by layering color of different media on paper. Working into and a taking out; forming, shaping, making marks, collaging in bits of my poetry, printed material, or torn pieces of previous work. Often working over the collage pieces as well. This process allows for manipulation and surprises. The brain shift that occurs takes me to another place while working. This is what I find exciting in my endeavor to create art." -Susan M. Sorenson. Susan is survived by her children Ann (Steve) Neerdaels, Mark (Kim) Sorenson, and Greta (Bill) Schumacher. Five Grandchildren, 3 Great Grandchildren, and her brother James (Sue) Wiechmann. In addition, many nieces, nephews, and friends. Susan was preceded in death by her husband Douglas, sisters Barbara Kane and Marian Hyatt, and brother Frederick Wiechmann. A memorial service celebrating Susan's life will be held at 11:30 AM at Maresh-Meredith funeral home on Thursday June 25, 2026. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for visitation Thursday 10:00 AM until time of service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to your favorite charity in mom's name.