Vera Sorensen Whiteley

1927 – 2023

Vera was born in Mammoth Utah on July 30, 1927 to Vinnie Stewart Sorensen and Henry Elias Sorensen. She died January 19, 2023 at home in Indianola in the care of loving family. Vera grew up in Utah County, the middle of three sisters that remained best friends throughout their lives. She graduated from Lincoln High School and shortly afterwards married her handsome sweetheart, Kay Otten Whiteley who had recently returned from service in World War II. They were married May 14, 1948 in Provo Utah and were later sealed in the Manti Temple.

Vera and Kay raised their four children in Lake Shore, Utah where they had a small farm. Vera and Kay moved to Salt Lake after retirement while enjoying life as "Snow Birds" in their Harlingen Texas second home along with Vera's sister Lucille and her husband. They traveled around the world and loved going on cruises and trips to see new places. When in Utah Vera loved horse riding and camping. Every Easter would find Vera and Kay on some cold sagebrush hill surrounded by kids and grandkids going on egg hunts and flying kites. In recent years Vera lived with her daughter Tammy in Indianola, Utah.

Vera will be remembered by family and friends for her beautiful hand painted quilts that she quilted herself using tiny, perfect stitches. She enjoyed art and left many treasured works of art and crafts for family. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and worked with the youth in creating road shows and supporting young women campouts.

Vera loved her family with 11 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. She is survived by her sister Carla Hayes, children Dennis (Adele) Whiteley, Tamara Swenson, and Michael Whiteley. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Kay, sister Lucille Atkinson, daughter Cheryl Fleming, and grand-daughter Tiawna Horrocks.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 27, at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, Utah. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will be at the Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah.

A luncheon will be provided by the Indianola Relief Society at 200 East 200 North, Orem. Family and friends are invited.