Marilyn Sorenson Hurd

Marilyn Sorenson Hurd, age 81, passed away with her family at her side on Jan. 24, 2014, in Providence, Utah.
Marilyn was born Jan. 21, 1933 at her parent’s home in Logan, Utah, the eldest child of George Izatt Sorenson and Mabel Lucille Larsen. She was named after her father’s Aunt Mary, and was constantly surrounded by a large extended family of loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Marilyn’s life was rich with the typical experiences of the Cache Valley pioneers. Thrift and hard work were at the heart of Marilyn’s family life. At home she learned the skills of farming, cooking, and homemaking, passed down from her Danish ancestors. As the only daughter, Marilyn had her parents’ hearts and attention. She was a quick learner and a cheerful student in school. She became an excellent seamstress, learning at her mother’s side, and also became an accomplished knitter.
In the summers Marilyn’s family traveled up the Logan and Hyrum Canyons for picnics and enjoyed gathering at Grandma Larsen’s home in Hyrum. Their yearly summer trip to Yellowstone was a special event. Marilyn also loved watching the parades on the 4th and 24th of July. Marilyn’s attention to detail found its way into an immaculate home, beautiful penmanship, neat and tidy gardens, and perfect orange rolls. Marilyn was tall, poised and had an elegant manner. She was soft-spoken and even-tempered: quite an accomplishment for a mother raising three lively boys.
Marilyn met her husband, Dean Wayne Hurd, of Filer, Idaho, while attending Utah State University and working at the Roxy Theatre. Dean was also attending the university and captured Marilyn’s heart with his fun and rambunctious ways. They married June 2, 1953 in her parent’s home and were sealed in the LDS Logan Temple December 13, 1955. Marilyn’s three sons, Jeffrey Dean, Michael Wayne and Craig George brought great joy into her life.
In 1961 Marilyn and Dean moved to Walnut Creek, California for Dean’s work in the book publishing industry. It was hard to leave family and friends, but it led to a rich and rewarding 37 years spent in the San Francisco Area. Marilyn was always an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. She held many church callings at all levels and in every organization, from Primary to Young Women’s to Relief Society. She volunteered at the Oakland Temple and the Logan Family History Library. She would be the first to tell you each calling was a growing experience.
Marilyn enjoyed her trips into San Francisco to visit the Flower Market and attend the symphony. She loved house boating on Lake Shasta, water skiing on the Delta, decorating the tree at Christmas time and making cookies, seeing her boys earn their Eagle Scout awards, serve LDS missions and watching each marry in the temple. She was a beloved Grandma with an unconditional love for each of her grandchildren. She spent her time with them reading stories and singing old-time family songs.
Marilyn and Dean returned to Logan in 1998 and built a home in Providence. She always enjoyed the backyard view of her beloved Cache Valley. Living near her brother Blaine and his wife Kay has been a blessing as they lovingly cared for her in recent years.
She is survived by her husband Dean Hurd, her brother Blaine Sorenson (and Kay Darby); her sons Jeff (and Sheilah Finch), Michael (and Tamora Bertonneau), and Craig (and Janet Wagstaff); twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Foxridge Ward Chapel, 155 North 100 East in Providence, Utah. A viewing will be held on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St. in Logan, and prior to the services on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the church. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.net