Obituary Record

Sophia Margaretha (Benck Jahnel
Died on 10/16/1919

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Funeral services were held last Friday afternoon, Oct. 18, from the German Lutheran Church for Mrs. Sophia Jahnel, a highly respected resident of Blair for the past 20 years. Her death occurred Wednesday, Oct. 16 following a long and painful illness, although she was up and around her home most of the time prior to ten days before the end came.

The deceased was a quiet, home loving woman and only her dearest friends and close neighbors knew her worth and became intimately acquainted with her. They will miss her greatly.

The past summer had been a great joy to her as her two sons had spent several months in her home on west Colfax Street. She knew her serious condition and realized that this was their last visit with her. Her pastor, Rev. H.C. Jul. Frese was a great comfort to her during her last days and his tribute to her is better than anything we can write at this time. It was he who accompanied the body of the deceased to Sterling, Ill. where interment was made on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The following is Rev. Frese’s tribute to Mrs. Jahnel in his funeral service: Sophia Margaretha Jahnel, nee Benck was born Nov. 1, 1851 at Thennenwurth, near Marne, Holstein, Germany, where she was baptized, instructed in the Lutheran faith, and confirmed. She arrived in this country on July 5, 1873, at the age of 21. She made her home in Sterling, Ill.

In 1875, she was married to A. J. Alberts. This marriage was blessed with two sons, Albertus, now residing in Santa Anna, Calif. And John, whose home is in Chicago.

On May 13, 1903 she was left a widow. Six years later, she entered again into wedlock, with Frank Jahnel. Together they came to Blair in Sept, 1910, where she has lived since In 1921 she was again reduced to widowhood.

Mother Jahnel was a devout Christian. Nothing was dearer to her than the Word of God. She dearly loved her Savior and trusted in His atoning merits with confidence and joy. On the day before her departure from this life I spoke to her on the words which I have chosen for her funeral text. That was last Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday afternoon a little after 5 o’clock on my arrival I found her in a coma from which she no more awoke. At 5:30 on Wednesday “her soul had flown.”

Besides her two sons, she is survived by eight step-children: Fritz, William, Frank and Chris Jahnel of near Blair, Mrs. Elsie Miller of Kennard, Mrs. Rosa Matthiesen of Blair, Mrs. Dora Craven of Osmond, Neb. and Mrs. Lena Anderson of Wisconsin, all of whom with the exception of Mrs. Anderson were present at the funeral services.

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