Barbara Ann (Francke) Sorenson

Barbara Ann (Francke) Sorenson passed away on September 16, 2025 at the age of 71. She was born in Leavenworth, KS to Roy and Marguerite (Williams) Francke on November 24, 1953. After spending several years in the Midwest, the Francke family moved to the Northwest, eventually settling in Lewiston, ID where Barb was a member of Lewiston High School's graduating class of 1972. She worked at several water treatment facilities before moving to Seattle, WA in 1977, spending seven years as a manager at the Seattle Water Treatment Plant, and where her daughter Amanda was born in 1983. However, the call for more education finally drove Barbara back home to Lewiston, ID, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature at Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC), with honors, in 1988, and where she met the love of her life, Wayne Curtis Sorenson. They married in 1987 and, after graduating, moved to Moscow, ID, to pursue graduate degrees, where Barb began her teaching career at the University of Idaho and at LCSC. In 1995, Barb and Wayne relocated to Leavenworth, Washington, and opened the Bavarian Meadows Bed and Breakfast. In later years, the couple moved to South Korea, where Barb taught English to kindergarten students, a surprising transition from adult education and one she came to cherish. Her beloved husband Wayne passed away in 2011, and Barb then settled in Wenatchee, WA. With her love of music and her beautiful voice, Barb sang with Leavenworth Village Voices for almost 20 years, and her love of cooking and baking ensured that everyone around her was rewarded with eating her beautifully decorated cakes and her repertoire of American and Asian cuisines. Barbara leaves behind her daughter Amanda (Dan) Rohrbach, her two beautiful grandchildren, Ada (10) and Reid (5), of Duvall, WA, and many relatives and friends who will miss her laughter and her spirit. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service in Barbara’s honor at Host Wenatchee10 S Columbia Street, Wenatchee, WA, on Friday, September 26th at 11 AM. Arrangements assisted by Jones & Jones Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.

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Barbara Ann (Francke) Sorenson

November 24, 1953 - September 16, 2025