Beryl Gillen Sorensen, beloved Mother and Grandmother passed from this life on December 1, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the home of her son, DeRay Brush, at the age of 95. Beryl was born to Enoch Gillen and Hilda Therissa Styler Gillen in Oasis, Utah on March 31, 1920. She was the second daughter in a family of 2 boys and 4 girls. She has two sister’s still living: Mildred, 100 years, in Ventura, CA; and Wilma, 92 years, Meadow, UT. She grew up in Oasis, Utah living close to her grandparents. She attended Elementary School in Deseret and graduated from Hinckley Academy. She attended Ventura College in California while living with her sister, Mildred, and family. She then returned to Oasis.
She married Gail Dee Brush in 1940, to whom four children were born: Paul Dee, Lois, DeRay, and Wayne. They later divorced.
While going door to door selling LDS Church Magazines in Delta, she met Wayne Douglas Sorensen, a wonderful man with three young children of his own: Christine, John and Suzanne. Wayne and Beryl were married October 23, 1953 and joined their families. They had two sons together, Craig and Kurt, to make a family of nine children. They lived in Delta most of their lives raising their large family. Beryl was known for shoveling the sidewalk in the winter time from their home all the way to the church so that no one would have to walk through the snow to church.
Wayne and Beryl served many years as Millard County EMT’s and loved every minute of it. Beryl was also certified as a CNA and worked at the old Delta Hospital. She had such a kind and loving heart towards those she cared for.
Beryl loved doing genealogy and temple work. She spent countless hours on the Sorensen and Gillen lines. In 1982, she and Wayne moved to St. George, living in the temple apartments to be able to attend the temple daily doing thousands of names for those who had passed on. Later they purchased a home in Bloomington Hills. They made many wonderful friends at the temple and in St. George. Beryl was very active in the LDS church, holding several callings which she fulfilled with great dedication.
Wayne and Beryl took several vacations with their large family and in later years tried to take each grown child with their families on one vacation. Every year they have a family reunion at Fishlake lasting many days so all the siblings and cousins can catch up. They also held an annual family Christmas party until the grandchildren started getting married and there was just too many.
She and her siblings carried on a long tradition of having a Gillen family reunion for many years, getting their large families together at the old Oasis Church and later in other areas. This was a time for the brothers and sisters with their children to get together and know each other.
Beryl loved tying quilts and always had one on the frames. She tried to make each grandchild a quilt. These quilts are a treasure.
We love you so much Grandma and appreciate all you did for us. All the trips you made to come to birthdays, baptisms, baby blessings, missionary farewells and homecomings, holidays, Fishlake, etc... (and with 28 grandchildren there were a lot of them) you and Grandpa were always there. Couldn't have asked for a better grandmother and now we give you back to God, all worn out and weary. You gave us your all and we are humbled by your example. Thank you, you'll be missed till we see you again.
She is preceded in death by her husband: Wayne D. Sorensen; son: Paul Dee Brush; granddaughters: Danielle Lynn Sorensen, and Whitnie Rae Harris; brothers: Deon and Elmo; sister: Carol Swenson. Beryl is survived by her children: Lois Bessent, DeRay Brush (Mary), Wayne Brush (Julie), Christine Harris (Darryl), John Sorensen (Eileen), Suzanne Carlile (Richard), Craig Sorensen (Lori), Kurt Sorensen (Linda); sisters: Mildred Finch, Wilma Cowley; and sister-in-law: Iris Gillen (Elmo); 27 grandchildren; 86 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild with 2 more on the way.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 7, at 11:00 a.m., at the Delta 1st Ward LDS Church. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:40 a.m., prior to the service. Burial will be in the Delta City Cemetery.