Zada Weil Jahnsen

Zada was born November 10, 1935, in Honey Creek near Bulverde to Benno and Vera Weil Bremer. Zada was preceded in death by her husband of almost 72 years, Earl, her parents, Benno and Vera Bremer, her brother, Darwin Edgar Bremer, and her daughter-in-law, Janet Jahnsen.

Zada is survived by her two sons, David Lee Jahnsen of Bulverde and James Lloyd Jahnsen, his wife Mary Jane, and three granddaughters, Alyssa, Emery, Audrie, their spouses, and great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Connie Bremer, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins

Zada lived her life doing what she loved, feeding the hearts and souls of family and community. She was a high achiever who could accomplish anything she set her mind to. Zada was proud that her family was part of the original settlement of New Braunfels and Bulverde. She learned how to speak English while attending Kindergarten in Honey Creek. She met her husband, Earl, at historic Anhalt Hall when they were young teenagers. They married on December 29, 1953 and moved to Harlingen, Texas, where Earl served in the military serving as an aircraft mechanic. They returned to the family ranch in 1957, only leaving for a brief time for Earl to work in Berlin, Germany, a time Zada remembered fondly.

She and Earl were lifelong members of Cross Lutheran in New Braunfels. They contributed to the development and growth of organizations and fine arts in Bulverde, New Braunfels, the surrounding area, state, and nation throughout their lives. Zada and Earl were integral members and hosts to the Bulverde Optimist Club, Garden Club, and other community organizations . Zada was especially dedicated to S.T.A.G.E. Theatre, building Krause House from the ground up on a portion of the family ranch. It gave her great joy to act, direct, serve as corporate manager, and supply the most delectable meals and desserts to audiences. She was awarded numerous local, state, and national awards and honors for her contributions to the arts, community theatre, and community as a whole. In 2016, Zada and Earl were honored for sustaining the arts with the National David C. Bryant Outstanding Service award. Her tireless efforts also earned her the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 from the Bulverde Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce. She made holidays memorable by sharing memories of past history and genealogy, literature she had read, and family recipes passed down through generations.

Zada lived a life of value in her own way to the Lord. She and Earl raised two of the finest men, their sons David Lee and James Lloyd Jahnsen. Their love for God, family, ranch, and values are implanted from their parents and continue to impart a legacy of stewardship and service to the Lord, their family, and future generations.

A Memorial Service will be held at Cross Lutheran Church in New Braunfels, Texas, January 5, 2026, 2 pm.

We are grateful for all the love, support, hard work, kindness, and prayers now and over the years for our family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the S.T.A.G.E. Endowment Fund (stagebulverde.org), 1300 Bulverde Road, Bulverde, Bulverde, Texas 78163, to continue Zada’s legacy of service to the arts in the Texas Hill Country.