ForeverMissed
Large image
Her Life

Thanksgiving Service for life of Lorelei Marilynne Sowers on 4/3/15 at Spokane Memorial Gardens

April 5, 2015


Music, opening hymn
:  Amazing Grace

Hear the promise of God.

Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious hand.

Scripture:  Psalms 23

Greeting:  The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Family and friends, we gather here in the protective shelter of God’s healing love.  We are free to pour out our grief, release our anger, face our emptiness, and know that God cares.  We gather here as God’s people, conscious of others who have died and the frailty of our own existence on earth.  We come to comfort and support one another in our common loss.  We gather to hear God’s word of hope that can drive away our despair and move us to offer God our praise.  We gather to commend to God with thanksgiving the life of Lorelei Marilynne Sowers as we enter the Easter season.

Prayer:  Holy God, whose ways are not our ways and whose thoughts are not our thoughts, grant that your Holy Spirit may intercede for us with sighs too deep for human words.  Heal our wounded hearts made heavy by our sorrow.  Through the veil of our tears and the silence of our emptiness, assure us again that ear has not heard, nor eye seen, nor human imagination envisioned, what you have prepared for those who love you; through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead.  Amen

Words of Remembrance and Thanksgiving:   Now we will have a time for sharing some of the things we are thankful for about Lorelei's life.   I will be calling you to share, if you would so care, some special gift or gifts that you are thankful for.   Our daughter Lorelei has also established an on-line memorial for her grandmother where people may express their feelings and thankfulness, tell special memories, see many pictures, and even add their own pictures.

    I will start out by sharing some of the things for which we are thankful.
    We are very thankful that she was able to have a long life and share it with us.  Also that she was fairly healthy.  Not many people almost reach the age of 97 in relatively good shape.  The last part of her journey was bumpy but thankfully (and we are so very thankful) her passing was smooth and peaceful.
     I entered the family about 60 years ago and Marilynne and I and children, Mike and Lorelei, have been able to participate with her on many very enjoyable adventures for which we are thankful.  She has been a wonderful partner in these adventures, some in situations that might have been stressful.  Eight people crammed in a car on a trip into Mexico; trips to California on extremely icy roads; multiple boat trips in rough waters; small airplane trips in tight quarters--- always with a joyous attitude. Then there were many fishing expeditions.  How she loved to fish! Though we had tight quarters our trips were filled with laughter and having her with us made our trips even more enjoyable.  She and Dad had a hand in our children's upbringing and gave them both love and stimulation for learning, for which we are so very thankful.  It was not a passive child-sitting experience.  What wonderful memories they gave our children!

     Now I am inviting others to share if they desire.

Edwin Scheibner, son of nephew Stanley Scheibner, who has visited Mom several times spoke of how he loved Mom’s joyous spirit.  Once when he showed Mom a magic trick, she replied, “Gol-ly” several times and that it was so honest and real and true to her joy of life.

Commendation:  Holy God, by your mighty power you gave us life, and in your love you have given us new life in Jesus Christ.  We now entrust Lorelei to your merciful care.  We do this in the faith of Christ Jesus, who died and rose again to save us and is now alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory for ever.  Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Lorelei Marilynne Sowers.  Acknowledge, we humbly pray, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, and a daughter of your own redeeming.  Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the company of those who have gone before.  Amen

Prayer:  O God, our strength and our redeemer, giver of life and conqueror of death, we praise you with humble hearts.  With faith in your great mercy and wisdom, we entrust Lorelei to your eternal care.  We thank you for your steadfast love for her all the days of her earthly life.  We thank you for all that she was to those who loved her.  We thank you that for Lorelei all sickness and sorrow are ended and death itself is past and that she has entered the home where all your people gather in peace.  Amen

Benediction:  May God bless you and keep you.  May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May God look upon you with kindness and give you peace.  Amen

Music:  On Eagle’s Wings (Verse 1 & 4)

Let us gather hands and say The Lord’s Prayer

17 fir sprigs were placed with the coffin by those attending in memory of her love for “17 Firs”

Lorelei's Obituary

March 31, 2015

LORELEI MARILYNNE SOWERS  (Age 96)

Lorelei Sowers joined her family and friends in Heaven on March 27, 2015. Her journey to Heaven began on May 17, 1918 in Loon Lake, Washington, born to Roe and Fayette (Liddle) Liddell. She lived her entire life in the Spokane area. Lorelei was predeceased by her parents; her loving husband, Wallace S. Sowers in 1977; grandson Michael J. Mueller; three sisters and one brother. She leaves behind her beloved children, Marilynne L. Mueller (Joris) of Rockford, WA, Wallace E. Sowers (Diane) of Spokane Valley, WA, Karen F. Bemis of Spokane, Sandra M. Dawson (Walter) of Davenport, WA and Eugenia S. “Jeannie” Rasmussen (Bill) of Spangle, WA; her nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great grandchildren. Also surviving her are her sister Anita E. Holt of Spokane and her brother Robert Liddell of Spokane, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Her passionate joys were raising her family, hosting family gatherings and sewing B’s, gardening, boating with her “Captain”, and in later life, playing cards and games. Her biggest joys were fishing and bowling. She bowled until she was 95 years young. 

If anyone wants to remember our dear mother, do it by looking for the first buttercup, listening to a meadowlark, fishing in a small boat on Roosevelt Lake or singing a “wake up” song in the early morning. She loved life, loved people and especially her family. She will never be forgotten. “God has her in His keeping; we have her in our hearts.”

 Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home (1306 N. Pines Rd.) is in charge of arrangements. A public viewing at the funeral chapel will be Thursday, April 2nd, from 12-6pm. Lorelei will be laid to rest beside her husband at Spokane Memorial Gardens (5909 S. Cheney-Spokane Rd.) on Friday, April 3rd at 3:00pm with graveside gathering. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Hospice of Spokane (121 S. Arthur, PO Box 2215, Spokane 99210), Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington (400 S. Jefferson, Suite 219, Spokane 99204) or Wounded Warrior Project (PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675). Please visit and participate in her online memorial at http://lorelei-marilynne-sowers.forevermissed.com/