Mary Jean Sorgel, age 94, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2018 at Frasier Meadows Nursing Care in Boulder, Colorado. Mary was born on December 12, 1923 in North Platte, Nebraska. She is survived by her older Sister, Phyllis Tremmel (Selby), her two sons Dave and Ric Sorgel, two grandsons Chase & Kyle Sorgel and three great grandchildren, Peyton, Cooper and McKenna Sorgel.
Growing up, Mary was part of a very musical family where everyone could sing and play various musical instruments. Her first musical performance was at the age of 3 at a big family Christmas party when she sat in a rocking chair and sang: “Jesus Loves Me”.
Music was a major part of her life at North Platte High School and after graduation she went to University of Nebraska and majored in voice and minored in flute. After 2 years at NU, she moved to New York City to live with Phyllis her older sister, who was an organist. While in New York, she auditioned and won the job as a high soprano soloist in a 100 voice choir (180 sopranos auditioned) for The Robert Shaw Chorale. High point in her singing carrier was recording Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the NY Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Arturo Toscanini.
Mary was married in New York in 1945 to Bill Sorgel who had just returned from active duty in England as a B24 bomber pilot during WWII. They moved to Mequon, Wisconsin where she raised her two sons Dave and Ric. Mary was also the Music Director at West Grandville Presbyterian Church during that time where she sang, played organ, directed the choir and became the first female elder of the church.
Mary was a good listener, had a great sense of humor and loved being around kids. When her boys were in rock and roll bands in the 60s their house was overrun by high school teenagers when they would practice in the basement. Bill would leave the house, but Mary would stay at talk with all the kids about their problems. She became know as “Mom 2” to them, a moniker she has to this day.

In 1968 Mary moved to Boulder, Colorado where she could be close to her family. Mary’s home and her hospitality became famous as the best place to have family events, volunteer meetings and vacations. Just about every relative and friend from around the country has spent time at Mary’s home.
Mary was a giver throughout her whole life. She always said: “Once a volunteer, always a volunteer.” In Boulder she became a part of the new Volunteer and Information Center, Emergency Family Assistance and was also was very involved with Big Sisters in Colorado for close to 10 years. She was also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Boulder.

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