Rosalin Carole Sorden 

Our sweet mother, Rosalin Carole Mack Sorden, left us on August 16, 2026 to join our dad, Larry Sorden on their final grand adventure. Together they had 12 children: Rick, Madeline, Steve, Shauna, Staci, Keith, Larry, Laurel, Lena, Loni, LaVonne, and Layne. One of our mother’s greatest legacies is that in her, “his, mine, and ours” posterity, there were no “step” or “half” children. They all belonged to her. Mom told the story of being handed one of Dad’s daughters when they were dating, and falling in love with her from the first moment our sister was put in her arms. All 12 of us knew our mother loved us dearly.

Mom was born in San Diego, California in 1943. She was the treasured first daughter of Sanford and Glenna Mack, and was raised in Tucson, Arizona with her beloved little sister Madeline. Mom graduated from Catalina High School in 1961 where she was the Athletic Woman of the Year, playing everything from field hockey, to basketball, to softball, to volleyball, and even dancing.

Rosalin married Larry in 1968, and was sealed to him in the Mesa, Arizona temple. They later moved to Montrose, Colorado, before landing in Washington, Utah in 1975. She was a proud part of the Washington 3rd Ward athletic legacy in the 1980’s, coaching the young women to several stake championships and playing in many as well. Her children were raised at the Washington City ballpark and are happy to know she will be resting just across the street, (in case she wants to catch a game now and then).

Mom was a fierce advocate for her kids and worked hard to make sure they always had what they needed. She will always be remembered for being a gatherer and throwing the best holiday parties for her grandkids (36), and great grandkids (14). In 1993, our parents moved to their dream property in Virgin, Utah where Dad, Layne and Rick built her a beautiful log cabin. They were there for 20 years, creating many treasured family memories. Each Christmas, presents were hung from the rafters, and each Easter, the fields were dotted with eggs and a prize table that rivaled a small variety store.

Our mother knew how to make everyone feel special and adored that walked into her home. She took being a mother, aunt, grandma, neighbor, friend, sister, daughter, and wife very seriously. And she was incredible at it.

One of our mother’s favorite experiences was being a missionary with Dad at Martin’s Cove in Wyoming for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1999. Her great-grandparents on both sides were part of the Martin and Willy Handcart companies. She loved to learn about their lives and share their stories of faith, survival, and loss with her family, so we knew where we came from.

In 2013, Rosalin and Larry moved to Bloomington (St George), Utah. Everywhere she lived, she gathered friends. We are so grateful to all of you who loved her. 

Mom’s life was full of joy and sorrow. She lost her daughter, Lavonne in 1978, her husband in 2023, and her oldest son, Rick in 2025, but she never lost her faith. We are comforted by the joy we know has healed her as she was greeted by the Savior, our father, her children, her parents, and the grandparents, aunts, and uncles she adored.

Our family would like to thank the extended family who have loved and were so loved by her. We are grateful for the care she was given in her last days by her neighbors, her caretaker AnnaMarie, Dixie Hospice, and the Spring Gardens Memory Care staff.

Our mother loved roses and always curated gardens at her homes. She made the world more beautiful everywhere she went. In lieu of flowers, and in memory of our “Grandma Rosie”, please plant something beautiful in your garden.

Please come celebrate her life with us this Saturday, August 22, 2026. A visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30, followed by funeral services at 11:00 at the LDS chapel at 3381 Mulberry Drive in St. George, Utah. She will be laid to rest at the Washington City Cemetery on 300 east Parkview Drive, Washington, Utah.