Sonja Antonia Jacobs
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We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Sonja Antonia Jacobs of Lawrence, Kansas. Our beloved wife, mother, oma, sister and friend died at the age of 77 on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Sonja passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones after a mighty battle with cancer.
A visitation in honor of Sonja will be held on Sunday, January 28 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, Kansas.
An additional visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 with a luncheon directly following. The inurnment will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Lawrence.
Sonja was born on October 6, 1946, in Schwalbach, Germany to Christoph and Erika Hassel. She met her husband, Earl Edward Jacobs in Neunkirchen, Germany and married him on December 30, 1965. She immigrated with him to the United States in 1966. One of her proudest moments was becoming a U.S. citizen in 1995.
Sonja was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Corpus Christi Church. She took great comfort from her faith. She was an avid reader and loved her crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She loved to travel with friends and to visit her family in Germany and across the U.S. Sonja was a huge KU fan and enjoyed cheering the Jayhawks on. She was the most kind and gentle woman who was a friend to all.
Sonja’s greatest love of all was her family – from her devoted husband to her children, grandchildren and entire extended family. She took great joy in cheering her children and grandchildren on in all their musical, theatrical, athletic and academic endeavors.
Sonja is survived by her husband, Earl; daughter Angela (Stephen) Jacobs Strum; son, Mark (Gwendolyn) Jacobs; grandsons and granddaughters, Jake Strum, Ethan Jacobs, Rosie Strum, Aidan Jacobs and Saida Jacobs; sisters, Rita Vogler and Elke Kilian of Neunkirchen, Germany; brother, Bernd (Martina Conrad) Hassel of Saarbrueken, Germany; sister-in-law, Connie (Kevin) Kesinger of Lawrence, Kansas and countless nieces, nephews and cousins from all over the world.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Christoph and Erika Hassel; sister, Sigrid Steinmetz; brother, Christoph Hassel and sister-in-law, Linda Helton.
Memorial contributions may be made in Sonja’s name to Corpus Christi Catholic Church or Ascend Hospice, both of Lawrence, Kansas. Contributions may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas, 66044.
For more information or to post condolences go to: warrenmcelwain.com.
Sonja was one of the sweetest people that we’ve ever known, She was a welcome addition to our extended family, and it’s hard to remeber when she wasn’t with us. She will be missed a great deal by many of our friends and relatives. May she rest in peace in the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Sending our deepest condolences to Ed, Angela & Steve; Mark & Gwendolyn and the grandchildren. Sonja was a superb lady with the biggest heart and immense love for her family and friends. We were honored to have been her friends for almost 28 years. We will miss you so very much Sonja, May you Rest in Peace in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ and our sweet Virgin Mary.
Angela, Steve, and Family. We are sending you prayers of peace and comfort as you grieve the loss of your beloved Mother.
Herzliches Beileid zu eurem Verlust. Möge sie in Frieden ruhen
It’s so incredibly sad. Sonja was a great gift for us that we unfortunately found way too late. But we are always grateful to her for the kindness and love she gave us. She never goes completely because a big piece of her has taken up space in our hearts forever. Thank you Sonja for the wonderful time with you. Petra, Christian, Elias & Hannah Steinmetz
We are incredibly sad! Sonja, my dearest sister and dearest sister-in-law, has left us.
We remember the many wonderful moments with Sonja and Jake, their laughter, their zest for life, our vacations together.
She was always there for us, she could listen and was so empathetic, always optimistic and an absolute family person – she was and is a wonderful person for us! She will always remain in our hearts. Sonja, we love you!
Wir sind so unfassbar traurig.Sonja, meine herzallerliebste Schwester und meine liebste Schwägerin hat uns verlassen. Wir erinnern uns an so viele schöne Momente mit Sonja and Jake, ihr Lachen, ihre Lebensfreude, unsere gemeinsamen Urlaube. Sie war immer für uns da, sie konnte zuhören und war so empathisch, immer optimistisch und ein absoluter Familienmensch. sie war und ist eine wundervoller Mensch für uns. Sie wird immer in unseren Herzen bleiben! Sonja, wir lieben Dich!
So very sorry to hear of Sonja’s passing. She was a wonderful exercise partner in our water aerobics classes with Cheryl at Neu Physical Therapy. Sonja was such a cheerful positive presence, and I always enjoyed visiting with her during class. My sincerest condolences to your family.
Mary Grant
More than a neighbor for thirty years, Sonja was like family to us. We celebrated milestones together, including her becoming a U.S. citizen – a proud moment. Memories of our vacation trips with Ed and Sonja will live on. Generous with her love, she was Oma without equal. Sonja’s strong faith was contagious. With so many others, we have been blessed by her friendship and will miss her dearly. “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!”
Wir senden herzliches Beileid .
Möge meine Schwester Sonja in Frieden ruhen .
Elke Kilian und Kinder.
Wir senden unser herzliches Beileid für den Verlust meiner Schwester Sonja and ihren Eheman Jake Tochter Angela und Familie sowie Sohn Mark und Familie . Möge sie in Frieden ruhen .
Elke Kilian und Kinder
So many days over the years started with a text or phone call with Sonja. We would share what our day was going to bring and the latest happenings. She was my best friend and I just can’t imagine what it will be like not to have her in the world. She was understanding, compassionate, not judgemental, family came first. When first hearing of her cancer diagnosis it was a blow that no one wants to hear, but it seemed she was prepared to do whatever the doctors said to fight it. I sat with her at some of her treatments at the hospital and she was unfailingly upbeat, always pleasant with the nurses, though she had to be so uncomfortable at times. Like everyone I was so hopeful that she would beat it and be well again. It was not to be and it is heartbreaking that she has gone on a new journey. I’m glad I got to say goodbye . I will miss her always, be free and at peace dear Sonja. With love from Donna and Pete
Hello, my dears,
I know how bad it is to lose a loved one.
I will never forget the many beautiful moments we experienced together.
But as difficult as it may be, just like with my beloved Birgit, it was a relief in the fight against this terrible disease.
Rest in peace.
Dear Ed and family, I was very sorry to hear that Sonja had died. I was her doctor for several years. She was always a delight to see. Full of energy and life. Just talking with Sonja in the office was great. We seemed to carry on about many other topics along with medicine. I will miss her a great deal. She was one of a kind!
So sorry to hear this. Prayers for the family.
We are saddened to hear this and sending love and light to support your family through the harder days of missing her. Her legacy of kindness and care definitely lives on through her daughter Angela and Granddaughter Rosie.
Angie, Steve, Jake and Rose,
Our hearts are breaking for you. Please know we are sending love and hugs to you all. Her legacy lives on in you and Rosie. Please lean on us. We are here for you. Love, Moira, Brad, Simone, Jake and Sophie
Sending my heartfelt condolences to the Jacob family. While I didn’t know Sonja, I know she raised an amazing daughter which is a testament to the kind of person I’m sure she was. Praying for comfort for the family during this difficult time. May you find many reasons to smile as you share the many memories you made with your wife/mother/grandmother over the years. The memories will sustain you until you can be reunited once again in God’s kingdom.
Sonja was such a lovely woman. She brought much joy to everyone in the family. She will be missed but never forgotten!
Sonja was such a beautiful and kind hearted soul. Now that she is gone the world is a darker place and we will miss her every day.
We will keep her alive in our hearts and memories.
Mein aufrichtiges Beileid 💐
Ich sende euch Liebe , Mut und Kraft in dieser schweren Zeit.
Im Himmel sind die Cousinen nun vereint und leben in unseren Herzen mit uns weiter.
Es tut mir so leid .
I met Sonja through another friend. I was able to enjoy lunches, and movies with the group. Sonja was always cheerful and enjoyed laughing at all our foibles. I know she was a treasure to her husband and family. Be at peace free of pain.
Sincerely, Amy Oliver
Dear Sonja was nothing short of incredible. Her love and support for her family always came first. What a courageous woman she was all the way to the end. Angela, Rosie, Jake and I will miss you every day, and your memories will live on with each of us. Thank you for raising an incredible daughter, who adores you. Happy journey to you, and I hope to see you again.
Love, your favorite (and only) son in law.
My mother was my first country.
The first place I ever lived.
– “lands” by Nayyirah Waheed
My sweet Mom loved me unconditionally and without judgement. She loved with kindness and curiosity, patience and exuberance, bravery and joy.
I loved our moments in the kitchen after dinner sharing secrets and laughing and later doing the same on phone calls or texts. The hardest thing this past week since you’ve gone is realizing I can’t pick up the phone to share the everyday minutia of my life that you were always so interested in.
I am so very grateful that my Mom instilled in me her love of reading. Some of my happiest childhood memories are of going to the library every week to check out the maximum number of books and carrying armloads home with us. She and I read voraciously and loved sharing new authors and our favorite books.
My Mom taught me how to live and love like she did. I will forever be grateful to her for that and for loving me and my family without abandon.
I love you sweet Mom. You will forever be in my heart❤️