VerJean Sohm Obituary (1926 - 2016)

Helen VerJean (Holyoak) Sohm, our Mother and "Jeanie," returned home to her Heavenly Father on July 27, 2016. She was born in Burley, Idaho on July 4, 1926 to Alma and Vadna Holyoak. VerJean and her sister Sharon grew up working long hours on the family farm alongside their dad. As she became a young lady, a handsome returned missionary and soldier caught her eye at Church. Keith Sohm walked her home that day and she fell instantly in love. Jeanie attended BYU and later received her degree in Elementary Education from the U of U. She and Keith dated during their college years at BYU and then married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 16, 1949. Jeanie spent most of her adult life with Keith in their "dream home" on Lincoln Lane in Holladay where she lived with her beloved family for 53 years. Jeanie loved Keith, her children, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and her friends. Keith taught her to have fun and encouraged her to try hiking, skiing, and waterskiing. Jeanie set a family record for waterskiing from Bullfrog to Rainbow Bridge without letting go or taking a break. She loved family activities on the water and snow. She enjoyed playing with her own kids, occasionally checking them out of school to go skiing as long as she could go along. Always on the go, she worked hard raising her children and instilled within them important values. When her youngest child started Kindergarten she began teaching elementary school. She loved all children and helped shape many lives. Jeanie loved the scriptures and took the gospel literally. She read the scriptures daily and could always be found on her knees each morning and night in prayer. With deep faith and a lifelong talent for the written and spoken word, she created a book review from Elder James E. Talmadge's Jesus the Christ. Mother memorized the hour and a half presentation which became a sought after and beloved message for Church meetings, Relief Societies and firesides throughout the Salt Lake Valley for many years. She held many callings in the Church and loved the Lord and served Him faithfully. A highlight of her life was the wonderful time spent as a missionary with her eternal companion in New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Jeanie was the best grandmother and great grandmother in the world. She rejoiced in every grandchild and great grandchild and loved cuddling, singing and dancing around the room with each new baby. She helped raise several grandkids and influenced many as a "second mom". She was an intense listener and attracted friends wherever she went. Her home was a gathering place for all ages. Jeanie is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Keith, her sister Sharon, infant daughter Sharon VerJean, grandson Aaron Kramer and great-grandson Matthew Keith Sohm. She is survived by her children; Sheri Sohm, Dallan (Becky) Sohm, Dana (Sue) Sohm, Shayla Shepherd, Shannon Kramer (Brad), and Sharlene (Bill) Elmer; 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Rozell Henrie and Kay Sohm, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Valley View 8th Ward chapel located at 4395 S. Albright Drive (2145 E.) A viewing will be held on Monday, August 1, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the same church and Tuesday prior to the services from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment will be next to her sweetheart Keith at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095