Donna Elizabeth Sorden Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Donna was born February 22, 1924 in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of William and Frieda Dugdale. She graduated from James Whitcome Riley High School and moved to Washington D.C. where she graduated from George Washington University with a degree in education. After teaching in Washington one year, she married Lee Sorden in South Bend. They moved to Oxnard, California where she taught third grade. Her husband preceded her in death in 1985. In 1997, Donna moved to Visalia, California to be nearer her family. She is survived by two daughters, Donna Louise Wahrenbrock and son-in-law Andy Wahrenbrock of Bakersfield, and Martha Lee Emery and son-in-law Randy Emery of Visalia, and two grandsons Jarod and Blake Palmer of Bakersfield. Donna was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, a past matron of the Order of Eastern Star in Oxnard, being a fifty year member. She was a past president of a CA Federated Women's Club called the Oxnard Monday Club. Donna served six and a half years as a PTA president at Brittell School, Fremont Junior High School, and Oxnard High School. She was awarded a life time membership in PTA from Brittell School. Donna enjoyed teaching third grade and later substituted twenty years at Marina West School in Oxnard, where the children always looked forward to the art work she brought for them to do. She was very family oriented - a loving daughter, wife, parent, and grandmother. She enjoyed her many friends and traveling. Donna's warmth and humor touched the hearts of many and will be missed by all. While living at Prestige Assisted Living in Visalia, she appreciated the friendship, encouragement, and care of the staff and caregivers. At the time of her death, she was a member of First Baptist Church in Visalia, known as GateWay Church. A celebration of life will be held on July 29 at 1:00 PM at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura, California. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Donna Elizabeth Sorden

February 22, 1924 - July 15, 2022