Josephine “Jo” Jones Sorensen, 82, of Hermosa, SD, passed away from a sudden stroke on May 4, 2025, in the Rapid City, SD Hospital. She was surrounded by all 9 of her children and other family members at the time of her passing.

Jo was born on December 18, 1942, in Lovell, WY, to Delbert Dalley Jones and Louise Jensen. She grew up in Otto, WY, where she attended elementary school. She graduated as Salutatorian from Burlington WY High School in 1961. She then attended University of Wyoming; graduating with a Bachelor of Music with Honor, Piano Performance, in 1965. She married James Newell Sorensen, her high school sweetheart, in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on December, 13, 1963. Together they raised 9 children, moving multiple times. Jo used her homemaking, teaching, and musical talents to continuously bless her family and numerous friends and congregations. She began teaching piano lessons while in high school, and taught for more than five decades. She taught in the Preston Idaho and Palo Verde (Blythe, CA) School Districts for many years. Jo and Newell retired to Hermosa, SD, in 2004 where, together with their family, they built a log house that became the center of their large family gatherings.

Jo was a faithful, life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where she served in the Relief Society, Young Women, Sunday School, Scouting, Primary, and Music. She and Newell served a CES Mission in Silver City, NM. They served as Temple Ordinance Workers in the Bismarck ND Temple, then served in the Bismarck ND Temple Presidency for 3 years. Jo continued her work in family history and in the temple, both as a worker and as a patron, for the rest of her life. Her love for the Lord was remarkable. Her service to others was amazing. Her love for her family was eternal.

Jo is survived by her children: Bret (Lorraine) Sorensen, Laramie, WY; Janell (Clark) Wiberg, Lancaster, CA; Norman (Terri) Sorensen,

Hermosa, SD; Bryant (Marie) Sorensen, State College, PA; Marla (Eric) Cheney, Rock Springs, WY; Austin (Amy) Sorensen, Ely, NV; Andrew (Julie) Sorensen, College Station, TX; Sarah (Brian) Harwood, Lansing, KS; Seth (Charlotta) Sorensen, Alliance, NE; 42 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren; her siblings Carl (Linda) Jones, Ralston, WY; LeRoy (KayRene) Jones, Moorcroft, WY; Martha (Doug) Evert, Cody, WY; Eva (Larry) Lorimer, Elizabeth, CO; Stanley (Colleen) Jones, Otto, WY.
Jo is preceded in death by her husband Newell; her parents; her brother Paul Jones; and her granddaughter Ana Christina Sorensen (Bret).

A Viewing will be held Friday, May 23, 2025, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home, 632 St. Francis Street, Rapid City, SD. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 24, 2024, 10:00 am, at the LDS Church, Mt. Rushmore Ward, 2250 Moon Meadows Drive, Rapids City, SD. Burial will follow immediately at Highland Park Cemetery, Hermosa, SD.