Melvin P Sommer

Melvin P. Sommer was born in rural Breda, Iowa, on September 28, 1923, the son of Peter and Margaret Sommer. He passed away Monday, March 11, 2019, at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll, Iowa, at the age of ninety-five.
Melvin was baptized in Christ October 28, 1923, at Wheatland Presbyterian Church near Breda, Iowa. He received his education in the schools near his home and graduated from Wall Lake High School with the class of 1941. On January 8, 1944, Melvin was united in marriage with Norma Albrecht at Des Moines, Iowa, and the couple was blessed with seven children. The family made their home on the farm north of Westside until 1961 when they moved to Vail, Iowa.
Although a farmer at heart, Melvin had been employed in the meat packing industry at Iowa Beef Processors in Denison. Melvin was active in the Presbyterian church, first at Wheatland Presbyterian Church near Breda and later at the Vail Presbyterian Church. Attending church was very important to him and he served as a member of various church councils. He was also dedicated to his community as a member of the Vail Volunteer Fire Department.
In his leisure time, Melvin enjoyed gardening, refinishing furniture, watching sports, fireworks, going to auctions and traveling to visit relatives. He liked a good meal with a particular favorite being the burgers at Homers. He enjoyed his daily walks, stopping to chat with people along the way. He found great pleasure in socializing with family and friends and Melvin and Norma enjoyed playing cards with various groups of friends. His family was very special to him and he particularly loved spending time with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, Norma in 2007; two daughters, infant Janet Lynn and Jayne; son-in-law, Gary and one sister, Marjorie. Survivors include: five children: Susan and her husband, Jay, Vicki, Nancy and her husband, Gary, Linda, and Glenn and friend, Ruth; one son-in-law, Rick; six grandchildren: Jennifer and her husband, Chuck, Matthew and his wife, Mary, Andrew and his wife, Sarah, Michael and his wife, Heather, Joe and his wife, Christina, and Paul; fifteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Florence; and other relatives and friends.