Beatrice “Betty” T. Sommers, age 88, of Beaver Dam, found peace and entered into the fullness of eternal life on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam. Her final days were spent surrounded by her loving family and friends
Visitation will be at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, (formerly St. Peter”s) 511 S. Spring Street in Beaver Dam on Thursday, September 27, 2007 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow, beginning at 4:00 PM. Fr. Carlos Florez will celebrate the mass. As a final act of Christian charity, Betty has donated her body to medical science. Inurnment of cremated remains will be at St. Peter”s Cemetery at a later date.
Betty was born on October 10, 1918 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to Henry and Helen (Neurohr) Thill. Her early years were spent in Bloomer, Wisconsin. She returned to Beaver Dam at age 18 with her family and worked at Weyenberg Shoe Factory for four years. She was united in marriage with Sylvester Sommers at St. Peter”s Catholic Church in Beaver Dam; they celebrated 69 years together on September 3, 2007. Sal and Betty were blessed with 7 children, 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Her devotion to family and faith are shining examples to all who knew her. For over 70 years, Betty was a faithful member of St. Peter”s Catholic Church, currently St. Katharine Drexel Parish and served as a housekeeper and a sacristan for more than a decade. She was active in many church organizations including the Daughters of Isabella for over 50 years, the Catholic Women”s Society, Good Samaritan Guild, the Holy Rosary Society, St. Francis of Assisi Secular Order, CLC Faith Sharing Group and the St. Peter”s Adult Choir.
Betty will be deeply missed by her loving husband, Sal of Beaver Dam, her devoted children, Helen (Gary) Schumaker of Wonder Lake, IL, Mary (John) Garbalagtys of Rolling Prairie, Bob Sommers of Beaver Dam, Sue (Jeff) Linde of Beaver Dam and Terri (Gene) Dedmon of East Ridge, TN, cherished grandchildren, Joe (Kim) Davis, Shawn Schumaker, Jenny (Scott) Klawitter, Mike (Tammy) Garbalagtys, Sandy (Steve) Doll, Ben Sommers, Crystal and Jason Sommers, Matt and Elizabeth Linde, Brian and Brock Linde, and Keller Dedmon, precious great grandchildren, Amelia, Bryce, Ellyce, Grayce, Maddie, Aby, Jonah, Julia, Sam, Dylan, and Cooper, her sister-in-law, Margaret Bulthuis, and her brother-in-law, Carl Sommers. She will also be missed by her dear friends, Roger and Maureen Linde, Pat Sommers, and Ruth and Richie Graff, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, two sisters, Agnes “Dottie” Niesen and Laura Schweiger, her son, Dick Sommers, her daughter, Joan Linde, her daughter-in-law, Marcia Sommers, and aunts and uncles.
The family would like to express deep appreciation to Dr. Augustson and his nurse, Carolyn, and the staffs at Beaver Dam Community Hospital and Hillside Manor Nursing Home for their skill, kindness and compassion while caring for Betty during her final days.
In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to St. Katharine Drexel Parish or School.
The Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made on our website at www.MurrayFH.com.
Service Details
Thursday, September 27th, 2007, 4:00pm, St. Katharine Drexel Spring St. Church-Beaver Dam