Norma Sommer

Norma Elizabeth Sommer was born on the farm north of Wall Lake, Iowa, May 20, 1924, the daughter of Edward J. and Ella Kowalke Albrecht. She was raised there and received her education in the Wall Lake Schools from which she graduated with the class of 1941. She furthered her education for two years at Cedar Falls, Iowa, receiving her teaching certificate. She then taught at Auburn, Iowa for six months. On January 8, 1944, Norma was united in marriage with Melvin Sommer at Des Moines, Iowa. Their union was blessed with seven children, Linda, Nancy, Susan, Vicki, Glenn, Jayne and Janet. They made their home on the farm north of Westside where Norma was a busy farmwife and homemaker. In 1961 the family moved to Vail, Iowa, and Norma resumed her teaching career in 1962, teaching first grade and kindergarten in the Ar-We-Va Community Schools, retiring in 1986. During her years at Ar-We-Va, Norma completed her college education receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Midwestern College in Denison. Norma was a 4-H member and leader and active in the Presbyterian Church, first at Wheatland Presbyterian Church by Breda and later the Vail Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Presbyterian Women. Throughout her life, Norma enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, baking, antique hunting, attending concerts and plays and traveling, especially to destinations near water and to be near her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family was of utmost importance to her and she enjoyed spending time with them and attending the grandchildren?s events. Norma and Melvin enjoyed playing cards with various groups of friends. On Labor Day of 2006, Norma moved to the Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa, and it was there her death occurred early Monday, October 15, 2007. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 83 years, 4 months and 25 days. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, one infant daughter, Janet Lynn Sommer in 1959, one brother, Loren Albrecht and one sister, Gloria Thompson. Those remaining to cherish her memory include her husband of over 63 years, Melvin Sommer of Vail, Iowa, six children, Linda and husband, Gary Mundt of Aurora, Colorado, Nancy and husband, Gary Narakas of Chicago, Illinois, Susan and husband, Jay Segebart of Westside, Iowa, Vicki Sommer of Carroll, Iowa, Glenn Sommer and friend, Ruth Pomplin of Dexter, Oregon, and Jayne and husband, Rick Larkin of Houma, Louisiana, six grandchildren, Jennifer Segebart of Grimes, Iowa, Matthew Segebart of Decatur, Illinois, Andrew Segebart and wife, Sarah of Carroll, Iowa, Michael Mundt and wife, Heather of Longmont, Colorado, Joe Brockelsby and wife, Christina of Sioux City, Iowa and Paul Narakas of Chicago, Illinois and 8 great-grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life as she was theirs. She is also survived by one brother, Dale Albrecht and wife, Marge of Wall Lake, Iowa, three sisters, Joyce Wilken of Odebolt, Iowa, Mavis and husband, Luther Suckow of Norwalk, Iowa, and Bonnie and husband, Gene Diepholz of San Bernadino, California, brother-in-laws and sisters-in-law, Len Thompson of Sacramento, California, Lorraine Albrecht of Wall Lake, Iowa and Florence and husband, Ray Bargenquast of Omaha, Nebraska, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. "Say not in grief that she is no more, but live in thankfulness that she was"---Hebrew proverb. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 18, 2007, at the United Presbyterian Church, Vail, Iowa, with the Rev. Richard Francis officiating. Music for the service included the congregation singing "In The Garden" and "How Great Thou Art" and Glenn Freese and Sandi Agan singing three duets, "Whispering Hope", "One Day At A Time" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee". Ruth Noelck served as organist. Honorary Pallbearers were members of the Vail Fire Department and their wives. Those serving as Pallbearers were Norma?s six grandchildren, Jennifer Segebart, Matthew Segebart, Andrew Segebart, Michael Mundt, Joe Brockelsby and Paul Narakas. Interment was at the Wheatland Cemetery, Breda, Iowa. Following the services the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the United Presbyterian Women. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where online condolences may be directed to www.pfannebecker.com .