Alice Sornson, 95, of La Porte, Ind., passed away at her home Feb. 19, 2021.
She was born Oct. 18, 1925, to Ruby and Willie Bailey in Dyess, Ark. She was the second of five children.
In 1945, she married John Eli Sornson, Jr. By 1946, they had a son, Tommy Lynn, and in 1950, welcomed a daughter, Diana.
Alice and John moved to La Porte in 1957, seeking work. While Alice loved her family in Arkansas and returned to see them often with stops each time at one of her favorite restaurants, Lambert’s Cafe, she did not miss picking cotton – as anyone who held more than one conversation with her fully understood. Instead, she worked for American Rubber for 32 years, retiring in 1989, then volunteered as a “Pink Lady” at La Porte Hospital. Her husband worked as a carpenter and built their home in Sunnyside. Alice contributed to the building of the home, applying finish to all of the woodwork and doors, which are still beautiful to this day. She also maintained an active church life as a member of Faith Baptist Church.
Alice, devoted to her family, raised what might be considered a passel of Sornson descendants, but would always be “spoiled rotten brats” to her.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, son Tommy Sornson, and siblings Leo, JW, Willie, and Launa.
She is survived by her daughter, Diana (Don) Rogowski, and grandchildren Leanne Holmes, Dawn (Teresa) Cribelar-Sornson, Teresa (John) Disse, Alison (Mike) Carden, and Ben (Allie) Rogowski. Added to this list are the great grandchildren: Nate, Ashley, Brittney, Jeremy, Jamie, Michael, Sydney, Matthew, Jordan, Heather, Haley, Olivia, Dylan, Rocco, Brayden, Amelia, and Eli. Great-great-grandchildren include Aubrey, Caleb, Riley, Mason, Carson, Alice, Chelsey, and Liam. Alice commented at Christmas that there were simply “Too many little ones to keep track of the names.”
Alice was in good health until her final weeks, able to live alone with the assistance of the brood she loved dearly. Those who knew her knew her love of Coke, bacon, fresh tomatoes, Avon Lip Dew, and threatening anyone within hearing range of “butt whoopings.” Even her longtime neighbor and friend, Pastor Dan McDonald, was not immune to her threats, especially when he notified the family that Alice, still driving in her 90s, had left in the middle of a snowstorm to buy more Coke. She maintained her spunk and feistiness until the very end.
The family will host a memorial service in celebration of her life at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, La Porte, with Dan McDonald officiating. Burial of cremated remains will take place next to her husband at Patton Cemetery, La Porte.
Anyone attending must wear a mask and practice social distancing per Indiana executive order. The service will be live streamed on the Haverstock Funeral Home Facebook page.
Memorial contributions may be made in Alice’s honor to Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Ave., Valparaiso, Ind. 46383 (https://www.duneshospicellc.com/donations).
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