# 1 - - Published in Pilot-Tribune, October 10, 1989

LOCAL WOMAN KILLED IN ACCIDENT

(picture and caption: "Arlington and Kennard Rescue Squad personnel give aid near the Sorensen vehicle.")

A two-car accident about two miles east of Arlington Wednesday, October 4, about 2:55 p.m., left a Blair woman dead and three others injured.

Mary Kathleen Sorensen was killed when the car she was driving was struck by one driven by Tina Townsend of Arlington. Townsend had a fracture of the upper right arm and was taken to Memorial Community Hospital in Blair by rescue squadsmen.

Tasha Tacner, age 8, a foster child of the Sorensens and Ashley Townsend, one month old, were also injured and were taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center by Sky Med.

Reports from Nebraska State Trooper Darrell Howell indicate that the Townsend vehicle was eastbound on Highway 30 at the time the accident occurred. She reportedly crossed the center line, causing a vehicle, driven by Helen Gosker of Blair which was in front of Sorensen's car to go into a ditch before hitting the westbound Sorensen vehicle.

Neither she nor her passengers were injured and there was no reported damage to her car.

The impact of Townsend's car hitting the left front corner of Sorensen's vehicle caused Sorensen's 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier to go into the ditch. Townsend's 1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88 then continued on into the north side ditch.

Both vehicles were a total loss.

Both Arlington and Kennard Rescue Squads responded to the call.

# 2 - - Date and place of publication of this newspaper article was not recorded.

M. KATHLEEN SORENSEN, 49

Funeral services were held Saturday, October 7 at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church for M. Kathleen Sorensen, 49 who died in an automobile accident October 4, 1989 on Highway 30 about two miles east of Arlington, Nebraska. Rev. Dan Galas officiated at the services. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery.

M. Kathleen Sorensen was born November 24, 1939 in Blair to Reed and Blanche Haller O’Hanlon Jr. She married Ronald F. Sorensen October 8, 1960 in Battle Creek, Michigan.

She graduated third in her class from Blair High School and attended St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana for one year.

She was very involved in community work. She was a lifetime PTA member, a Blair Band Booster, and was an accompanist at the Blair Schools when needed. She was also an avid supporter of youth and helped in the school system in any way in which she was needed and was involved in 4-H and Cub Scouts.

She was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church and sang in the choir. She was a CCD teacher and was a member of the Council of Catholic Women.

She was a founding member of the Nebraska Chapter of Believe the Children and the Washington County Foster Parent Support Group. She was also a member of BBA and AA and sponsored many persons in that organization.

She was preceded in death by her father, Reed O’Hanlon Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald F. of Blair; sons, William, Atlantic, Iowa; Tom and daughter-in-law, Martha of West Palm Beach, Florida; Andy and Ron, Jr. of Omaha; and Chris, Mark, Kevin, John and Brian of Blair; and daughters Peggy, Blair; Molly Becker and her husband Mark, Blair; Libby, Fremont; Kate, West Palm Beach, Florida; and Janace, Alice, Shauna, Laura and Tasha of Blair.

Her mother and step-father, Blanche and Neil Stanley of Omaha; sisters, Patricia (Mrs. Gary) Goldsmith, Boston, Massachusetts; Kay (Mrs. Raymond Jr.) Young, Alameda, California; and brothers, Tom O’Hanlon, Blair; Kevin (and wife Beth) O’Hanlon, Lansing, Michigan; and Mike (and wife Renee) O’Hanlon , Kansas City, Missouri; and three grandchildren, Kai, Travis and Stephanie also survive her.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.