Sonja Antonia Jacobs

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 .