Donald Sommars

Funeral services for Donald Sommars of Cambridge, and formerly a life-long resident of Verndale, will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at the United Methodist Church in Verndale with Pastor Jill Pawlowski presiding. Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Donald passed away at the age of 97 years on March 22, 2013 at GracePointe Commons Assisted Living in Cambridge, MN. Donald Merton Sommars was born on January 24, 1916, the youngest of seven children, to Frances and Harriet “Hattie” (Cummings) Sommars in Verndale, MN. He attended Verndale High School, graduating as Valedictorian with the Class of 1933. Following graduation he worked in a California airplane factory building P-51s. He was called home to the farm when his father died. Donald and Lillian Eckert were united in marriage on February 23, 1942 in Sebeka. They raised their family on their farm south of Verndale. Don was a lifelong innovator and one of the first in the area to use irrigation. He also had the highest producing herd of Guernsey cows in the state of Minnesota. He loved the outdoors, spending time tending his rose garden, and hunting each fall with extended family. He was a director on the West Central Telephone Board for 36 years, served as a 4-H leader, and sold cars for over 10 years. He and Lillian loved to dance, with a fondness for square dancing, and they enjoyed hours and hours of playing cards with family and friends. By 1976, they sold the farm, keeping a small acreage to build their home and raise commercial asparagus. Due to Lillian’s health, the couple moved into Verndale in 1990, then on to Cambridge for assisted living near family members. Don was preceded in death by his parents Frances and Harriet; he was the last living sibling to brothers Amos, Harold, Walter, and Frank Sommars, and sisters Doris Richardson and Bessie Biever. He is survived by his loving wife Lillian; sons Wayne (Jane) of Cambridge, and Dennis (Robin) of South Haven; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren & one great-great-grandchild. Honorary pallbearer will be Randon Sommars. Serving as pallbearers will be Marvin Runyan, Jim Runyan, Ralph Stone, David Orlando, Len Seglar and Tony Sommars. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale.

Donald Sommars

January 24, 1916 - March 22, 2013