As Mother Theresa shared, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” Eljean gracefully embodied this quote during her 90 joyful years on Earth. Eljean Catherine (Benkert) Sollman was born on April 21, 1930, to the wonderful parents of Rosetta Catherine and Leo George Benkert. She had 4 sisters and 1 brother, whom she loved dearly. Love and faith permeated every nook and cranny of their humble home. Her mother’s award-winning angel food cake is a recipe still passed down almost 100 years later, and her father’s love for music kept a drumbeat in her soul as she danced through life’s peaks and valleys. Eljean married the love of her life, Marlin August Sollman, on July 23, 1949. Together, they were blessed with 13 children, each with their own special talents and personalities. She was a selfless homemaker, meticulous quilter, tender gardener, and remarkable cook. The larger her family grew, the fuller her home, her snack drawer, and her heart. She adored her 29 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, where each one had their own set of memories stored in her soul. Eljean shared everything she had, including her love for Christmas. Her grandchildren are sure to proudly display their collection of ornaments that she curated throughout the years. When Eljean arrived to her heavenly home, she was reunited with her very best friend - Marlin, and we know he had a special piece of jewelry to celebrate this wonderful milestone. Of all the family and friends she loves in Heaven, we know she just couldn’t wait to hug her children first Angela (Gary) Lamey, Theresa (Mark) Hisch, Darlene Sollman, and Mark Sollman and her siblings, Mildred Wallace,
Alberta Fehrenbacher, June Reidford, and Leo "Bud" Benkert. With broken hearts, she leaves behind her children - Darrel (Angie) Sollman, Marlene Sollman, Randy (Patty) Sollman, David Sollman, Ed (Nikki) Sollman, Dino (Laura) Sollman, Kristi (Guy) Garrison, Mike (Kathy) Sollman, and Michelle (Ben) Berning and a sister, Joyce Henderson. Her 29 grandchildren will forever be wrapped with love in her handmade quilts, and her 23 great-grandchildren will never forget the joy of Grandma Sollman’s Christmas Eve celebration. Until we all meet again, her family finds peace knowing she will be at her Heavenly home and always loving her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, December 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Haubstadt with Father Christopher Droste as celebrant and will be for immediate and extended family. Burial will be at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery following mass and public is welcome. Visitation will be on Friday, December 18, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Donations in her honor can be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church or Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery. Thanks to Heart to Heart Hospice and a special thanks to Wanda May her care giver.
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