Delores Sohm

   DANBURY - Delores J. Sohm passed away on December 6, 2006, in Battle Creek at the age of 80 years, 5 months, and 23 days.
   The Rosary led by St. Mary's Rosary Society and Vigil Wake Service were held on Friday, December 8, 2006, at Armstrong Funeral Home, in Mapleton.
   The Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, December 9, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church, Danbury. Officiating were Rev. Andrew Sohm, Celebrant, and Rev. Terry Roder, Concelebrant. The Message in Music was led by organist and vocalist Julie Hamann who sang "Ave Maria" and St. Marys Choir who joined Julie in leading "How Great Thou Art," "On Eagles Wings," "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman," and "Silent Night." Pallbearers were Delores' grandsons, Frank Sohm, Calvin Armstrong, Wade Sohm, Lucas Sohm, Mitchell Sohm, Bryce Sohm and Bryant Sohm. Offertory Procession was conducted by Delores' granddaughters, Becky Chandler, Amy Benson, Kristi Hegwer, Kathi Droegmiller, Melissa Lehmann, Emily Gries, Molly Sohm, Megan Armstrong, and Alexis Sohm. The Honorary Groups were the Danbury morning coffee ladies and the Friday night ladies supper groups. Interment was in Danbury Catholic Cemetery at Danbury.
   Delores June Sohm was born on June 14, 1926, in rural Danbury, Ida County, Iowa, the daughter of Otto and Clara (Clausen) Lill. She was the youngest of nine children. She first attended country school and when the family moved to Battle Creek, Iowa, she entered grade school there. She graduated from Battle Creek High School with the class of 1944. All during high school she worked at the Maple Leaf Cafe in Battle Creek. After graduation she worked at Campbell and Campbell Law Office in Battle Creek as their bookkeeper. It was during this time that she met Leon F. "Red" Sohm of Danbury. Leon and Delores were united in marriage on January 24, 1949, at the Rectory of St. Marys Catholic Church in Danbury. The couple then began their life's work in farming on a farm just north of town. In 1971, they purchased the farm they lived on and a second farm in 1978. Leon and Delores retired with their last crop harvest in the fall of 1991 and built their home in Danbury where they resided since June of 1992. Leon died on October 16, 1998.
   She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. Mary's Rosary Society in Danbury. She was also a member of the Danbury Community Club, was a 4-H leader for a number of years, and especially enjoyed being part of the Danbury ladies morning coffee group and the Friday night ladies supper group.
   Delores was a kind-natured woman with an incredible memory, especially for dates and details. She and her husband had a deep devotion to each other, and Delores shared that love with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a sweetheart!
   Those survivors left to cherish Delores' memory include one daughter and her husband, Cindy and Grant Armstrong of Danbury and their children, Megan and Calvin Armstrong, both of Iowa City, IA; a son and his wife, Terry and Cherie Sohm of Hinton, IA and their children, Amy Benson and her husband, Tate, of Pierson, IA and their children, Emerson and Preston, Rev. Andrew Sohm of Omaha, NE, Melissa Lehmann and her husband, Dan, of Merrill, IA and their sons, Drew and Dylan, and Emily Gries and her husband, Josh, of LeMars, IA and their daughter, Hannah; a son and his wife, Randy and Susie Sohm of Mapleton, IA and their children, Becky Chandler and her husband, Kevin, of Moline, IL and their son, Austin, Kristi Hegwer and her husband, Joe, of Merrill, IA and their sons, Kyle, Tanner, and Alex, Kathi Droegmiller and her husband, Brian, of Merrill, IA and their son, Brady, Frank Sohm and his wife, Melissa of Sioux City, IA, and Molly Sohm and her fiancee, Vince Oordt, of Sioux City, IA; a son and his wife, Dan "Fred" and Lynn Sohm of Danbury, IA and their children, Wade and Lucas of Ames, IA and Mitchell, Bryce, Bryant, and Alexis, all of Danbury, IA; three sisters-in-law, Ruth Lill of Fayetteville, NC, Della Sohm of Big Sandy, MT, and Mary Etta Sohm of Havre, MT; and two brothers-in-law, Duane Sohm of Havre, MT and Keith Barkmeier of Lake City, IA along with numerous nieces and nephews and many very good friends.
   Along with her beloved husband, Leon, Delores was preceded in death by her parents; two grandchildren, Timothy and Mariah Sohm; all eight of her siblings, three brothers, Walt, Dick and LeRoy Lill, and five sisters, Sadie Weinbrandt, Edna Putzier, Della Suckstorf, Ellen Putzier, and Bernice Lill.