JOHN A. SOMMER

John A. Sommer

February 6, 1938-November 21, 2022

John A. Sommer, age 84, of Gibbon, MN formerly of Fairfax, MN passed away peacefully in Arizona on Monday, November 21, 2022, of a massive stroke.

Funeral Service will be Monday, December 12, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairfax with interment in Ft. Ridgely Cemetery, Ridgely Township, Nicollet County, Minnesota. Visitation will be Sunday, December 11, 2022, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairfax and will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday, all at church. Military Honors by the Fairfax Honor Guard.

Clergy Officiating: Reverend Paul Meitner

Organist: Karin Bauer

Casket Bearers: Mark Dietz, Jeff Dietz, Jamie Sommer, Shawn Sommer, Ryan Sommer, Hunter Sommer,

John Albert Sommer was born February 6, 1938, to Rueben and Violet (Abraham) Sommer. He was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith, both at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord. He graduated from Gaylord High School in 1956.

After John graduated from Gaylord High School, he enlisted in the National Guard and trained at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

On October 25, 1959, John was united in marriage to Karen Kay Kreft. John and Karen were blessed with six children. He worked at Fullerton Lumber Yard for 20 years. His career started in Gaylord and he moved into management at Brownton, MN eventually moving to Fairfax and starting 4 Square Builders in 1970, with partners Leon Schwerzler, Dennis Anderson, Duane Schuette, and John Fox. He retired and bought a home in Queen Valley, AZ in 2010, and enjoyed many sunny and warm winters with family and friends. John and Karen shared 63 happy years of marriage.

John loved his family and we were blessed to have him in our lives. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather, and his easy-going manner gained him many cherished friendships throughout his years. His favorite hobby was anything horse related. This included family trips to many parts of the American West with their horses, going to the quarter horse races at Canterbury Park, and attending Saddle Club and 4-H horse shows to watch his grandchildren compete. John loved all Minnesota sport teams, Vikings, Gophers, Lynx, Twins and the Timberwolves.

John is survived by his wife, Karen Sommer; children, Brent (Hollie) Sommer, Bryan (Joan) Sommer, Dwight (Diane) Sommer, Renae Sommer, Todd Sommer, Nathan (Mandy) Sommer; grandchildren, Ryan and Hunter Sommer, Danielle (Tom) Frauendienst, Jessi (Gerry) Domeier, Jenny (Robert) Meyer, Mindy (Bronc) McMurtry, Jamie Sommer, Shawn Sommer, Taylor Sommer, Faith Sommer, Kaylie Sommer; great-grandchildren, Jayla Frauendienst, Larissa (Dylan) Selbrade, Jaxon Domeier, Braydee and Bailee Meyer, Mesa Jo and Coulee McMurtry; great-great-grandchild, Oliver Jongbloedt; sister, Diane Dietz; brothers-in-law, Douglas Kreft and Bill Messner; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by infant daughter, Sommer; grandsons, Trevor and Dillan Sommer; granddaughter, Hailey Jo Sommer; brothers-in-law, Karl Dietz and Dennis Kreft; sister-in-law, Marilyn Messner; parents, Rueben and Violet Sommer; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Helmut and Margaret Kreft.

Arrangements by Hauser-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Fairfax, Minnesota. Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com

 

Category:

Subscriber Login