SOMMER, Arnold E., Rev. 1910-2001

SOMMER, BEGEMANN, LUEDEMAN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/15/2014 at 16:59:28

The Rev. Arnold E. Sommer, 91, of 2500 21st Ave., passed away Wednesday, November 14, 2001, at Linn Manor Care Center, Marion, after a courageous battle with cancer. Services; 10:30 a.m. Monday, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marion, by the Rev. Dennis Johnson. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Murdoch Funeral Home, Marion, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

The Rev. Arnold E. Sommer was born June 4, 1910, the son of Paul P. Sommer and Rika Begemann, in Charles City, Iowa. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly and received his BA from Luther College in Decorah. In 1936, he received his Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque.

He was ordained at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City on June 14, 1936. Pastor Sommer served congregations in Kimball, Nebraska, and Waterloo, Olin, Alvord, Tama, Bellevue and rural Correctionville, Iowa. While serving in Olin, Arnold met his wife Helen Luedeman and they were married on Sept. 28, 1944. Upon retirement, Arnold and Helen moved to Moville, Iowa, and then to Marion in 1984. The Rev. Arnold Sommer celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ordination in June.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Helen; his son, Steven Sommer (Dr. Sandra) of Richmond, Virginia; two daughters, Pamela Thompson (Dr. David) of Niantic, Connecticut, and Barbara Townley (Jon) of Waunakee, Wisconsin; six grandchildren, Mark Sommer (Courtney) and Valerie Sommer, Kimberly and Christopher Thompson and Michelle and Eric Townley; his mother-in-law, Martha Luedeman of Marion; a niece, Connie Cooper (Vern) of Cedar Rapids; and a nephew, Mike Cooper (Jan) of Iowa City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his father-in-law, Louis J. Luedeman.

Instead of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Pastor Sommer's name.

Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette, Friday, November 16, 2001, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Floyd Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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