Sommers, Donald Peter

Other Events:

• Obituary: 10 May 2012; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Donald Peter Paul Sommers, age 81, of Brillion, died unexpectedly on Monday May 7, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. He was born on June 26, 1930, son of the late Michael & Bernadine (Brochtrup) Sommers. He graduated from Brillion High School in 1948. On June 9, 1951 he married Lila Elenor Krueger in Hollandtown. They were blessed to celebrate with family and friends last year their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Don had a long career in sales, starting out at Kloehn Electric with appliances, then cars. His next move was into insurance sales, where he was a State Farm Insurance agent for over 29 years. After that, he sold advertising for WMBE and WRJO radio stations. Don was a member of the Brillion Volunteer Fire Department from 1954 through 1964. He was also a member of the Brillion Jaycees, a Charter Lifetime member and past president of the Brillion Optimist Club, and was an active member of the Brillion Athletic Association for many years. He served on the Brillion City Council from 1964 through 1974. During his term, he was proud to be a part of the group that established the Brillion Community Center with a basketball court. Don also served as a Calumet County Board Supervisor from 1974 through 1986. After a two year break, he served again as a Supervisor for the county from 1988 through April of 2012. With his love for basketball, he was the volunteer basketball coach for St. Mary's School from 1962 through 1979. He coached both teams which included grades 5 through 8. He also had the help of good friend, Merrill Vanderhoof, for several years coaching the St. Mary's Raider teams. He enjoyed spending time with his three children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Don was a big sports fan and loved to play basketball. He played many years on the Brillion City team and Hilbert's team. He also loved to play tennis. You could even find him on the court when he was 79 years young, swinging a racket with his children and grandchildren. Matches even involved his nephew and Godson Mike. There might have been a few occasional questionable line calls from Don, mixed in the many matches through the years! Even though he couldn't swim, he enjoyed the water and boating. Don and Lila enjoyed visiting cottages of relatives and had a cottage of their own on Long Lake. He loyally followed the Brillion sports teams, along with being an avid Green Bay Packer fan and Ice Bowl survivor. Survivors include his wife Lila, his children, Cindy (Gene) Sievert of Reedsville, Don Mike Sommers of Oshkosh, Dave (Laurie) Sommers of Brillion, his grandchildren Dana (Chris) Hoyer and their children Ethan and Sevanna of Brillion, Briana (Nick) Abel of Brillion, Samantha Sommers, Alyssa Sommers, and Amanda Sommers all of Brillion, 2 sisters Ann (Frank) Petrie of Fremont CA, Gerry (Roger) Weber of Hilbert, 2 sisters-in-law Phyllis (Harlan) Krahn of Brillion, Dorothy (Otto) Rusch of Washburn WI, and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sandy & Kenley Krueger. Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday May 12 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brillion. The Rev. Timothy Brandt will officiate. Burial will be in Brillion Community Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and then again on Saturday from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. with mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Don's name. Online condolences may be made at www.wieting-funeralhome.com
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on May 10, 2012

Donald married Krueger, Lila Elenor [Group Sheet]