Erma Louise Sorenson was born March 4, 1947 in Missouri to Cletus Black, Sr., and Dorothy Dean.

Erma was a farm girl and a hard worker. Over the years, she worked various jobs from preparing meals for the railroad workers and working in the overall factory to sorting corn. While working for Griffin’s Nursing Home, she received her education and training as a dietician. Shortly after leaving there, Knoxville Hospital came to Erma with an application, wanting her to work for them.

Erma married Ralph Elbert Sorenson on July 1, 1971. Together, they had three children, Daniel, Valerie and Jennifer. Erma was patient, kind, giving and loving with a dash of ornery when you least expected it. She wasn’t one for confrontation or debate, but when she said “no”, it was firm and the final word. She loved nature, especially watching the squirrels, and her family was her pride and joy.

Erma passed away Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Knoxville Hospital and Clinics, at the age of 79 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two children in infancy, her sisters, Roberta, Dora and Susan, and her brothers, Cletus, Jr. and James.

Those left to cherish Erma’s memory include her husband: Ralph Sorenson; children: Daniel (Dee) Sorenson, Valerie Collis, and Jennifer (Matt) Jones; siblings: Henry Black of Pella, J.P. Black of Renick, WV, and Charlotte Burnell of Grinnell; 16 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and many other family members and friends.