Mary Lou Sorensen

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Friday, April 8, 2022
at Ava's Hospice House in Sioux Falls at the age of 85

Mary Lou Judd was born July 11, 1936, in Murdo, South Dakota, the 5th of 10 children born to Edward and Dorothy (Herbaugh) Judd. Mary began working at the age of 13 in the Bus Stop. She was working at the Rex Cafe for Peggy and Buster Iverson when she met Milton, who came to town with a road construction crew.

Mary and Milton married on June 12, 1955, at her parents’ home in Murdo. The first three years of their marriage was spent travelling with the Rounds Construction crew from one job to another. In 1958, they moved back to Wall and took over the farm when Milton’s parents moved into Wall.

In 1959, she went to work at the Cactus Cafe for Myron and Jan Beach. Then she worked at t GW Market for Jim Clark until 1963 when she became pregnant with Mark who was stillborn in December of that year. She then went to work for Alma Schmidt at the Star Café until 1966 when Jean came along and then Jeff in 1967. She quit working until the two were in their teens. In 1981, she and Jean went to work for Bud and Pat Estes at the King’s Inn Motel and then the Sunshine Inn Motel for Dawna and John Tsitrian. Mary Lou retired from there when she was 75 years old at which time she enjoyed time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary is survived by her two children Jean and Jeff; three grandchildren James, Beth (Skyler) Devaney, and Chris (Karla); four great-grandchildren Olivia, Ryder, Rylee, and Liam; one sister Joyce Hazelbaker of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; one brother Gene (Pam) Judd of Aurora, SD; sister-in-laws Donna (Sorensen) Gravatt, Norma (Sorensen) Henthorne, Kay Judd, and Ruby Judd; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Milton; one son Mark at birth; a sister Marion; brothers Noel, Bob, Jim, Cecil, Charles, and Dwight; and her parents.

Private family services will be held with burial at the Wall Cemetery.

Service Details

Guest Book

May God be with you for ur journey hom
   ~ sara Jensen Rapid City (10/10/2022)
Our deepest condolences. Dawna and I will always remember the
many years that Mary Lou was associated with us.

   ~ John Tsitrian Rapid City (4/12/2022)
It was an honor and a privilege to work with you, Mary Lou, for all of those years at the motel. It was never the same after you retired. Fly High Mary Lou, you earned those angel wings. Thoughts and prayers for Jeff, and Jean, and all of the Grand Kids. Rest in Paradise!
   ~ Penny P Baumann Quinn, SD (4/10/2022)
May God be with you for ur journey hom
   ~ sara Jensen Rapid City (10/10/2022)