Otto Laverne Sommer
Otto Laverne Sommer died
Tuesday (Jan. 24, 2006) at Friendly Acres/Asbury Park in Newton. He was born
Feb. 18, 1919, to Christian and Selma Suter Sommer in Crawfordsville, Iowa. He
married Lillian Wenger Sept. 17, 1944, in Lancaster Pa. She preceded him in
death Aug. 14, 1998. Otto met his wife Lillian in Akron, Pa., while in Civil
Public Service. They came to Newton so he could finish his education at Bethel
College where he graduated with majors in math and physics in 1948. He was
employed by Midland Mutual Fire Insurance Co. in Newton until 1967. At that
time, he relocated in Oklahoma, retiring as comptroller for the Oklahoma City
YMCA in 1982.
While in Newton, he was an
active member of Bethel College Mennonite Church. He transferred his membership
to the Westminster Presbyterian Church when he moved to Oklahoma and had been
attending the First Presbyterian Church in Newton for the past several years.
He joined Kiwanis in 1955, serving in various positions, and was very proud of
his 50-year award, which he received last year.
Music was an important part
of his life. He enjoyed singing in numerous groups including church choirs,
barbershop quartets and especially the OKC Canterbury Choir. He was a lifelong
Chicago Cubs fan and always looked forward to the start of baseball season.
Survivors include: four
daughters, Martha Berner of Kansas City, Anita and Jim Monarez of Newton, Ruth
and Terry Kampmeier of Oviedo, Fla., and Sharon and John Stauffer of Tucson,
Ariz.; two sons, Richard and Judy Sommer of Littleton, Colo., and Gerald Sommer
of San Diego; a sister and brother, Dora and Ken Hostetler of Hesston and Irvin
and Lois Sommer of San Leandro, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and 17
great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be 4
p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Newton.
Committal will be at
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City.
Petersen Funeral Home is in
charge of the arrangements.
