Leyendecker

Sophie Emily Buxkemper Leyendecker of Columbus died Jan. 9, 2019 at the age of 96. She was born on Sept. 27, 1922 in Colorado County to Emil Anton and Caroline Gully Buxkemper. She married Manly Owen Leyendecker on Feb. 4, 1945.

Sophie was a dedicated wife and a ‘stay at home’ Mom for their three children. Claudean Marie Leyendecker Saunders, Ned Leonard Leyendecker, and Jane Anna Leyendecker Luedecke. Gardening, along with canning  fresh fruits and vegetables and cooking large meals for family and friends, was a big part of Sophie’s life. Sharing fruits and vegetables was also very important to her. Crocheting and quilting was an awesome pastime for her. Sophie made numerous afghans and tablecloths for each of her family members.

She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America.

She has claim to seven grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren. They all feel that everyone should experience having such a kind and compassionate mother and grandmother as Sophie.

She is survived by daughter Claudean Saunders, son Ned Leyendecker and wife Marietta, and daughter Jane Luedecke and husband James, six grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Manly Leyendecker, and her grandson, Matthew Owen Saunders, her parents, and all of her nine siblings.

Parish Prayer Service and Catholic Daughters Rosary was held on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, at 2 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus, with Fr. Augustine N. Asante officiating.

Interment followed in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus. Serving as pallbearers were her grandchildren, John Saunders, Richard Saunders, Lauren Luensmann, Nathan Leyendecker, Nicolas Leyendecker and Jacob Luedecke. Honorary pallbearers were Marlene Bradford, Dinah Crawford Dixon, Patsy Hodge and her twenty great grandchildren.

Thank you to the caregivers, family and friends who helped during her final years.

Donations may be made to Brazos Valley Hospice - La Grange, 1048 N. Jefferson, La Grange, Texas 78945; or St. Anthony Catholic Church, PO Box 669, Columbus, Texas 78934; or Columbus Community Hospital, 110 Shult Dr., Columbus, Texas 78934; or charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Henneke Funeral  Home in Columbus.