Lillian Stence passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, June 12th at 5:00 pm. She was surrounded by her loving best friends Betty Boots and Sue Larson.
Lillian was 99 1/2. She always said she would live to be 100 but in recent years had decided that wouldn’t be much fun. True to form, she did it her way.
Lillian Stence, originally Lilly Rosa Mohr, was born on December 15th 1921, in Hohenferde, Germany. When she was six months old she immigrated to America with her mother, Christine Horns Mohr and father, William F. Mohr on the ship Resolute. They came through Ellis Island and eventually settled in Elkader, Iowa.
She met and married James Kenneth Stence on November 4th 1946. They welcomed their son Lee William Stence on August 20th 1947. Seven years later their daughter, Debra Jane Stence was born on July 3th 1954.
Lillian went on the have 3 grandchildren, Jennifer Stence-Curran and husband Steve. Matthew Stence and wife Molly. Tova Thomas and husband Adam. As well as 8 great grandchildren, Kelsey Stoffel, Ben Stoffel and Jamie Stoffel, Lily Stence, Henry Stence and Avery Stence, Painter Lovrin, and Mojo Gurr. As well as countless others that were her chosen family.
She was known to refer to herself as “hard hearted Hannah”, but that didn’t fool anyone.
To know her was to love her. She was as spicy as she was sweet. Lillian’s door was always open and her table was always full. She was giving and loyal, beautiful and strong, hardworking and sharp.
She had a twinkle in her eyes and a smile always ready. Lillian was a rock for so many to rest on, to return to and to find in darkness. Her love was constant and true.
Lillian Stence is a legend to those that know her and love her. And legends never really die.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband James on July 12th 1991, her parents, and sister, Effie Bromelkamp. May their reunion be joyous and full of dancing.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.
A private graveside service will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery, Elkader.