1915
Richard
2007
Richard Sommer
June 15, 1915 — December 12, 2007
Richard was born on the Sommer family farm seven miles south of Morris. The third of seven children, his parents, Jonathan and Rebecca Sommer, came to Stevens County from Iowa in 1914. After graduating from the West Central School of Agriculture, Richard began farming with his father.
In 1939, Richard took flying lessons and bought the Piper Cub he learned to fly in. In 1942 he joined a government-sponsored program and trained new pilots for WWII until 1944, when Richard flew as civilian co-pilot until 1945. Richard married Martha Strand in 1942. In 1945 Richard resumed farming in Horton Township. He and Martha belonged to Flying Farmers and the Morris-Hancock Flying Club. They were also active in the Federated Church and the Farmers Union. Richard especially enjoyed fishing. Richard and Martha enjoyed traveling all over the United States and Europe. They were blessed in many ways. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage until her death in 2003. They had no children, but enjoyed many visits by their nieces and nephews.
Richard Eli Sommer died on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 92 years.
Richard is survived by his sister: Joyce Willis of Summerville, North Carolina; brother: Glen Sommer of Morris and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha (Strand) Sommer; sisters: Irma Dablow of Morris and Florence Carnes of Rome, Georgia and brothers: Victor Sommer of Princeton and Irl Sommer of Morris.
Pallbearers for the service are: Bob Rinkenberger, Richard Huebner, Keith Koehl, Bob Roles, Greg Dablow and Glen Sommer, Jr. Cheryl Rempel will serve as organist for the service with Darrell Strand serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
In 1939, Richard took flying lessons and bought the Piper Cub he learned to fly in. In 1942 he joined a government-sponsored program and trained new pilots for WWII until 1944, when Richard flew as civilian co-pilot until 1945. Richard married Martha Strand in 1942. In 1945 Richard resumed farming in Horton Township. He and Martha belonged to Flying Farmers and the Morris-Hancock Flying Club. They were also active in the Federated Church and the Farmers Union. Richard especially enjoyed fishing. Richard and Martha enjoyed traveling all over the United States and Europe. They were blessed in many ways. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage until her death in 2003. They had no children, but enjoyed many visits by their nieces and nephews.
Richard Eli Sommer died on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 92 years.
Richard is survived by his sister: Joyce Willis of Summerville, North Carolina; brother: Glen Sommer of Morris and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha (Strand) Sommer; sisters: Irma Dablow of Morris and Florence Carnes of Rome, Georgia and brothers: Victor Sommer of Princeton and Irl Sommer of Morris.
Pallbearers for the service are: Bob Rinkenberger, Richard Huebner, Keith Koehl, Bob Roles, Greg Dablow and Glen Sommer, Jr. Cheryl Rempel will serve as organist for the service with Darrell Strand serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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