Obituary of Thomas Edward Sommer

Thomas E. Sommer, age 76, of Edgar, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, March 31, 2022.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Monday, April 11, 2022, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgar with Rev. Alan Wierzba officiating. He will be laid to rest in the parish cemetery receiving full military honors conducted by his comrades from Edgar VFW Post 10187. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Monday from 9 AM until time of service. The honor of pallbearer belongs to his grandsons, Nicolas and Zachary Allmann, Michael and Tyler Sommer, Garrett Sommer, and Otto and Oscar Sommer.

Tom was born on December 30, 1945, in the Town of Reitbrock, the son of Alphonse and Josephine (Zinkowich) Sommer. He graduated from Edgar High School. After graduation, Tom was drafted into the United States Army at the start of Vietnam War and served his country being stationed in Germany from 1965 until his honorable discharge in 1966.  On May 30, 1968, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Hilber at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marathon. Sadly, Beth passed away July 24, 2021.

Tom was a longtime active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgar.  He is a member of Edgar VFW Post 10187 also serving as its commander for many years. He was also a longtime member of the Edgar Fire Department.

His hobbies included collecting and restoring Case Tractors, tinkering with other antique tractors and always having 2-3 projects going on all at the same time. He was very much a people person who loved his conversations with family and friends or maybe a get together with family for a Sunday dinner at the house. He loved time spent with his grandkids and enjoyed the good old polka music of days past.

Those who will cherish his memory include his children, Scott (Brenda) Sommer, Jason Sommer and Jeffrey (Nicole Gabower) Sommer; his son-in-law, Jeff Allman; his grandchildren, Morgan (Noah) Lassa, Heather Sommer, Garrett Sommer, Amber (Matt) Ruhle, Nicholas (Crystal) Allmann, Zachary Allmann, Abigail Allmann, Michael (Carley) Sommer, Tyler Sommer, Courtney Sommer, Otto Sommer and Oscar Sommer and his great-grandchildren, Olivia, Esther, Mateo, Lincoln and Hudson, his siblings: Mary (Ken) Knoeck, Polly Brehm, Linda (Bill) Kuehn, Frances (David) Wilichowski and Lauri (Joseph) Kollross along with many other relatives, dear friends and comrades.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Alphonse and Josephine Sommer; his wife, Elizabeth and his daughter, Julie Allmann.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are being accepted by Tom’s family for a charity to be determined.

Tom’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.