Francis Lorena Soehnlein ascended to heaven, Wednesday evening March 26, 2025, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She is survived by her husband, Paul Soehnlein; son, Joshua Soehnlein; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Jeremy Battaglia; and her grandchildren, Kaya, Bali, and Amble Battaglia. Additionally, her brother, Bob (Donna) Carroll; their children, Ricky, Done, & Chad. Francis is reunited with her brother, Clayton Stedman.

Born in Moses Lake, WA, Frances loved to travel and lived in many places: Soap Lake, WA; Bonney Lake, WA; Garden City, MI, Kentwood, MI, and Dorr, MI. She spent many of her happiest years raising her family in Kentwood, MI. Frances worked for GPC for 25 years. An excellent and dedicated bookkeeper, she was flawless in her work. She championed the traditional, warm, and personalized approach of the work and rebuked the switch to the modern, cold, impersonal calculations of computers. Her joy stemmed from her family. Later in life, she found serenity and solace in watching her world grow with grandchildren surrounding her, and flowers blooming in her garden. She enjoyed the weaving work of crocheting and piecing puzzles together. In fact, the last decade and a half was a peaceful picture carefully assembled together with family, friends, and flowers.

A June memorial is planned for friends and family to visit her house, admire her garden, and take part in the experience planting flowers and caring for growing life. This celebration will symbolize her journey, as she shall become a part of the fertile earth, strengthening and sustaining the flowers she so loved. Her spirit shall continue to grow and revererate in the hearts and memories of those who loved her.

Sarah Maas once penned:

Where is the darkness now? It hasn't made an appearance in weeks. But it's still there. I think it's just being managed…Maybe the House's knowledge that I'm aware of it, and didn't judge it, makes it easier to keep in check. That's the key, isn't it? To handle it…that's the important part. To not let it consume. To focus upon the good, the things that fill you with wonder. The struggle with that darkness is worth it, just to see  such things.

We will choose to acknowledge the darkness of grief, missing our selfless wife, mother, and grandmother, and manage it…handle it. We will not let it consume, but rather nourish. We will focus on all the good things she gifted friends and family. We will wonder at the beauty of nature she held so dear.

As her eldest child, she always told my brother and me we could do whatever we wanted in life. To put intention behind our actions, we would be capable of achieving our dreams. This was the power our mother held and the greatest gift she gave us. She instilled a natural mindset to excel. Her biggest dream to pass on to her children was the wherewithal to create for themselves the life they wanted to live; she did this through her never ending support and confidence.

Finally, another quote from my favorite author comes to mind: "To the people who look at the stars and wish. To the stars who listen and the dreams that are answered" (Maas). Mom, you are our constant star, shining brightest in the night. For whenever it is dark, we will think of you and know you are there, as we have always been comforted by your bright brilliance.