Savannah Labenz

Taken from her loved ones much too soon, Savannah Labenz, Red as some called her, was the heartbeat of wherever she was. Vivacious, vibrant, and fun-loving, she was also one of the most adventurous and fearless people around. When Savannah loved, she loved with all her heart, and she was deeply devoted to the family and friends she cherished. She accomplished so many things of which to be proud during her short life, yet she was humble and gracious in everything she did. Although she was a perfectionist by nature, Savannah was also the queen of pranks as no one around her was safe, especially on April Fools Day. Life will never be the same without her here, but her spirit will remain forever in the hearts of all who were within her reach.

It seems only fitting that Savannahs journey began during a time that was as colorful as she was. It was the 1990s when technology was booming, which transformed the way we lived our everyday lives. Things were never the same after the birth of the World Wide Web in 1992, and it was joined by new gaming systems, cellular phones, and talking toys by the dozens in the technological age. It was just before Christmas, on December 23rd that Lyle and Shelly (Kiefer) Labenz welcomed their healthy baby girl into the world in 1994 in Columbia City, Indiana. Savannah Eileen was one of three children in her family, and was raised in the family home alongside her sister, Karissa, and her brother, Dakoda. She was a very lovable and content baby who was so easy to love. She was very shy by nature, which is surprising considering who she became. Also reserved at times, Savannah hated having anything to do with shots, and the only one who could get her to go get them was her beloved grandfather, Papaw. She stole his heart, and she was truly Papaws girl.

By the time she was two, a different side emerged in Savannah as she learned to embrace adventure by the thrill of the slides at the playground. In fact, she once fell off the slide and although she tried to convince her grandparents that she was fine, it became obvious that she had broken her arm as she tried to go back up the steps for another ride down. A true thrill seeker at heart as she grew, Savannah was not the typical girly girl, however, she was a very beautiful tom boy. She was game to try anything once, and Savannah had absolutely no fear. It was not uncommon for Savannah and her siblings to be out jumping off bike ramps that her Uncle Timmy built. Savannahs spirit of adventure was balanced by her tender heart. She loved animals and was forever trying to adopt an animal of some kind. On one such occasion she and her siblings snuck in a duck from the park, convinced that they could hide it in the bathtub without their parents finding out. Of course that thought was short-lived, but they were allowed to keep the duck.

As a teen, Savannahs adventurous personality led her to be a full-fledged thrill seeker. She love anything with wheels and speed including roller coasters, crotch rockets, 4-wheelers, and dirt bikes. It was also not uncommon to see Savannah tearing up the field with her dad in the Polaris RZR. She was always well dressed and loved hunting for bargains, but she also liked dressing in camouflage and cowboy boots. Savannah was very active as a student at Churubusco High School.

Very athletic, she rose to the top at any sports she played including basketball, softball, and flag football. She was so good at flag football that she was even recruited to be part of the all star team, but since it required traveling that would take her away from her family Savannah declined the offer. In addition, she was a member of the Ginger Club, Spanish Club, and the National Honors Society along with being on the homecoming court her senior year. As someone who excelled in her studies, Savannah always made the Deans List, too.

Of course Savannahs favorite part of the school year was spring break as it was filled with sun, sand, and plenty of family and friends. For years her parents took her along with her friends to someplace warm and chaperoned them all. Savannahs favorite spring break was in 2012 when they all went down to Panama City, both her girl friends and her guy friends, too. To her guy friends, Savannah was the little sister they never had.

In addition to holding down her studies, Savannah had various jobs as a high school student. Dunkin Donuts, Tenneco Automotive, and Tillys were just a few. She also worked at Taco Bell, and despite being one of their most reliable and hardest workers, Savannah was fired by someone who had stopped by from corporate and found her with a small, diamond stud off the lobe of her nose. This was so funny to her family since she would have never done anything that truly warranted being fired since she was such a perfectionist. Even Savannahs closet was perfectly organized and color coordinated. She also was forever rearranging homes whether it was her parents home, her boyfriends room, or even his house.

Poised for a bright future, Savannah was currently attending Indiana University Purdue University of Fort Wayne where she was focusing her studies on accounting and business management. Although she had wanted to play softball there, her shoulder prohibited her from doing so. As a result, Savannah focused on her studies even more. Her hard work paid off as she made the Deans List as well as the honor roll. Just last week, she was accepted by the National Accounting Society as a result of her exceptional grades. Additionally, Savannah was baptized at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Churubusco and confirmed at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Columbia City where she also attended services.

A lifelong resident of Whitley County, Savannah Labenz had a contagious zest for life that made her such a joy to be around. She always wore a smile, and although she was very loving and caring she was also known to have an ornery side at times. Savannah will be deeply missed while her memory is forever cherished.

Savannah Eileen Red Labenz, of Churubusco, IN, died on Friday evening, November 28, 2014 at 11:30 p.m. Savannahs family includes her parents, Lyle and Shelly Labenz of Churubusco; sister, Karissa Labenz of Churubusco; brother, Dakoda Labenz of Churubusco; and grandparents, Tim and Jackie Smith of Columbia City and Gene Labenz of Humphrey, NE; aunts and uncles including, Doug and Mandy Kiefer of Carmel, Tony and Ashley Smith of Churubusco, Timmy and Brandy Smith of Claypool, Jim and Jane Wiehn of Humphrey, NE., Bill and Judy Greenough, Norfolk, NE., Dale and Patty Labenz, Columbus, NE., Jodi Labenz, Lincoln, NE.; godparents, Randy and Cara Ramaekers, of Lincoln, NE.; special family, Dave and Amy Crabill, of Churubusco; and loving boyfriend, Braden Coffelt. Savannah was preceded in death by her grandmother, Eileen Labenz.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 3, 2014, from 2-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Dr., Columbia City. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, December 4, 2014, at the funeral home with calling one hour prior. Father Gary Sigler will be officiating. Burial will follow at Eel River Cemetery, rural Churubusco. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the family who will be creating a scholarship fund at Churubusco High School.