Ruth Ann Sorensen, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on October 4, 2025, in her home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Mrs. Sorensen was a long-time resident of Brookston, Indiana and was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Sorensen.

Mrs. Sorensen was born on May 5, 1933 to Nelson and Catherine Hineman. A 1951 graduate of Logansport High School where, foreshadowing her future career, she was a member of the 120 Club, a student organization devoted to supporting the school’s library. She later earned an Associate Degree in Library Sciences from Indiana State University

She married Peter Sorensen on June 27, 1954 and they enjoyed a sixty-six year marriage before his death in 2020. In 1960, the Sorensen family, relocated from Lafayette, IN to Brookston, IN where she resided until moving to Florida in 2008. An active member of the Brookston United Methodist Church, Mrs. Sorensen was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 251 and the Psi Iota Xi sorority.

In 1967, Mrs. Sorensen was named head librarian of the Brookston Prairie Township Public Library – a role she held until her retirement in 1990. As head librarian she demonstrated a profound commitment to children’s literacy by establishing the summer reading club for children to encourage a love for reading. Today, the program continues to have an extraordinary impact on the lives of the area’s youth. In 1987, Mrs. Sorensen was honored as the first recipient of the Mary L. Bishop Award for Extraordinary Service by the Wabash Valley Area Library Services Authority. Upon her retirement, the Brookston Prairie Township Public Library Board named the library’s children’s reading room in her honor.

While Ruth Ann and Pete traveled extensively throughout their retirement years, the trips she treasured most were visits to Indiana Beach with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her four children: Niles (Doreen) of Harrisburg, NC, Nelsen (Linda) of Springboro, IN, Shawnita (Steve) of Syracuse, IN, and Christian (Tammy) of Brookston, IN; eleven grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Peter, Mrs. Sorensen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert, and her aunt, Betty Jewell.

Ruth Ann’s family extends their deep gratitude to the staff of Harbor Place at Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast Hospice for the years of caring support they provided to “Ruthie.”

A memorial service for family and friends will be held on October 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Spring Creek Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Brookston Prairie Township Public Library to support a planned renovation of the librarian’s station in the Children’s Library. Please mail donations to Brookston Prairie Township Public Children’s Library, Post Office Box 528, Brookston, IN 47923.