Lenabell Eileen Sohns Dec. 13, 1931 – Oct. 25, 2024

Lenabell (Lyn) Eileen Sohns was born on Dec. 13, 1931, at The Grove. Jesus received her home, Friday morning, Oct. 25, 2024, a few weeks short of her 93^rd birthday. Daughter of Karl Rudolf Drosche and Frieda (Tolkmitt) Drosche, she was baptized Dec. 27, 1931, at St. Paul Lutheran Church at The Grove. She was confirmed April 15, 1946, also at St. Paul.  Her early education included St. Paul Lutheran School and The Grove High School. She married Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns on June 9, 1957, also at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  She was “sent” by God as a devoted pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

God gave her many ways to be sent and to serve in congregations. It was exemplified as a Sunday School teacher, mid-week schoolteacher, Bible classes, Altar Guild, LWML, LLL, quilting groups, etc.  Her role as a pastor’s wife and District President’s wife allowed her to shine as a hostess, mentor, and a partner with her husband.  She was well known for hospitality with lay people, pastors/wives, district presidents, missionaries, and national leaders of the LCMS. She was appreciated for her humble attitude of service and wry sense of humor as she served in Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Illinois, and Texas.

Her love of mission included engaging with her husband in visitation of congregations, overseas mission fields and partner churches, as well as being a co-founder of The Jesus is Lord Mission Society (2002). Most recently, she lived out her sending as a resident of The Meadows Nursing Home. She developed relationships with residents and staff, sharing Jesus’ love through caring for and encouraging them as she had with so many others throughout her life.  Among her family, she was beloved for providing a loving home, home-baked goods, Wendish noodles, and many favorites that included Onion Rye Bread.  There was always a quilt, or an embroidery project in process around the home.  Her willingness to play dominos, cards, or other games with children and grandchildren provided hours of fun, which helped develop loving and deeper relationships.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Rev. Dr. Wilbert (Will) J. Sohns; sons, Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Sohns and wife, Ursula, of Spring, and Michael A. Sohns and wife, Julia, of The Grove; six grandchildren: Aaron Sohns, Benjamin Sohns and wife, Jessica, and David Sohns all of Spring, Kristen Bristow of Georgetown, Nicole Lam and husband, Jeff, of Waco, and Connor Sohns of Gatesville; great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Lenabell Bristow, Adam and Lauren Lam; siblings, Ella Nora Sohns, Louise Drosche, and Iona Knoernschild, and sister-in-law, Joan Sohns; nephews, Jimmy Sohns and wife, Sharon, Tim Sohns and wife, Stephanie, Robert Sohns and wife, Cheryl, Rick Sohns, Jeff Knoernschild, and niece, Paula Weinberg and husband, Harold; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Lenabell was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Carl (Sonny) Drosche, and brothers-in-law, Ralph Sohns, Lawrence Sohns, and Edwin Knoernschild.

She lived out her life reflecting her Confirmation verse from Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  The hymn, “Let us Ever Walk with Jesus,” was sung at her own wedding and at confirmations and weddings of her own children, grandchildren and other family members. A special memory will always be of singing that same hymn to her at her bedside shortly before she moved from this life of struggle into the loving arms of her Savior.  Throughout her life, she truly experienced walking with Jesus, suffering with Jesus, dying with Jesus, and now, living with Jesus.

Let us al­so die with Je­sus.
His death from the se­cond death,
From our soul’s de­struc­tion, frees us,
Quickens us with life’s glad breath.
Let us mor­ti­fy, while liv­ing,
Flesh and blood and die to sin;
And the grave that shuts us in
Shall but prove the gate to Hea­ven.
Jesus, here I die to Thee
There to live eter­nal­ly.

To God be the Glory.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in The Grove, with Rev. Ken Hennings and Pastor John Heckman officiating.  Interment followed at St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to be directed to the Memorial Fund at St. Paul Lutheran Church for memorial trees to be planted on the church grounds. St. Paul Lutheran Church, 220 The Grove Rd., Gatesville, TX 76528.

Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville was in charge of arrangements.