Obituary of James Joseph Sommer

Parkston – James Joseph Sommer, 87, went to his heavenly home Saturday, September 28 at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston. Funeral mass will be Wednesday, October 2 at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 1 from 5 to 7 pm with a 6:30 pm prayer service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

James Joseph Sommer was born June 9, 1932 to Henry and Josephine (Schmidt) Sommer in Parkston, SD. He grew up on the farm and attended country school through the eighth grade near there. He entered the United States Army on July 11, 1956 and served his country until his honorable discharge on July 10, 1962. During this time he was stationed at Ft. Story, VA where he was a heavy truck driver and eventually a cook. After his military service, he returned to the family farm near Parkston. He was united in marriage to Joan B. Mechtenberg on February 8, 1958 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston. Together, they made their home and raised their children on the farm. In 1988, Jim and Joan moved to Parkston and continued to farm until 1998 when they retired. Jim was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Farmer's Union, NFO, Kulm Township Board, was an honorary lifetime member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and served on the Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed cooking, fishing and hunting, especially pheasant s on his CRP with his children and grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Joan of Parkston; 4 daughters: Cindy (Dave) Schoenfelder of Parkston; Cathy (Stewart) Schipke of Aberdeen, SD; Carol (Jim) Tschetter of Huron, SD; and Carla (Tyler) Marken of Aberdeen; 2 sons: Glen (DeVonne) Sommer of Mitchell, SD and Greg (Ann) Sommer of Marshfield, WI; a sister, Pyllis Stadlman of Parkston; 15 grandchildren: Eric, Teressa, Cory, Tara, Cade, Nick, Brook, Austin, Abby, Tierney, Trinn, Eilert, Katelyn, Ashton, and Levi; and 7 great-grandchildren: Lexi, Easton, Noah, Ellie, Kye, Styerling, and Eva.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son in infancy, Gerard, a sister, Lorraine Fischer; a brother, Ronald Sommer; and 2 brothers-in-law, Bernard Fischer and Francis Stadlman.