Emmaline Sommer

Emmaline Sommer was born on March 30, 1922, in Eleanor, Iowa, and died on June 18, 2018, in Overland Park, KS. She was 96. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Tjebkes. She was one of eight daughters. Her sisters included Ann “Annie” Nute, Rose “Rosie” Krueger, Henrietta Higbee, Violet Bates, her identical twin sister, Eddaline Smith, Eleanor “Ruthie” Bailey and Phyllis Kidwell. She married Robert Charles Sommer on January 11, 1949. They were parents of two sons, Jay Alan Sommer (Kedra) and Dane Robert Sommer (Sharla).

Emmaline was the valedictorian of her class upon graduation from Parkersburg High School in 1940. She lived and worked in Burlington at the ordnance plant during WWII. Emmaline lived the majority of her adult life in Waterloo, Iowa. She joined the First Congregational Church (UCC) in 1946, and continued her membership there until her death. She was a member of the Waterloo Mothers’ Chorus in the 1950s and 60s. She was employed at Allen Memorial Hospital from 1970 to 1983.

Emmaline was very active up until the last day of her life. Her greatest love was spending time with her mother and sisters and all their husbands and children. She and her twin were fixtures in the choir loft at their beloved church, sitting right in the middle next to each other. Eddaline sang soprano, Emmaline sang alto. Upon her retirement, Emmaline joined the running craze and won numerous races in her age group. She moved to Overland Park in 2011 to be closer to her family. She quickly adapted to her new community and made many new friends.

Emmaline was proceeded in death by her husband, her parents and six of her sisters, Annie, Rosie, Henrietta, Violet, Eddaline and Ruthie and their husbands. She is survived by her sister Phyllis and husband, Harold, sons and daughters-in-law, grandsons Dylan Robert Sommer (Kanissa Bell) and Logan Charles Sommer, granddaughter, Lauren Noelle Sommer, great grandchildren, Caroline Cade Sommer, and identical twin boys, Elijah Ellis Sommer and Oliver Odin Sommer.

Services will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at the First Congregational Church (UCC), 608 W. Fourth Street, Waterloo, Iowa, with visitation beginning at 10:00 and worship beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Midwest Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the church.

Service: 11AM, Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at First Congregational Church, Waterloo, Iowa

Visitation: 10-11AM, Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at First Congregational Church, Waterloo, Iowa

Burial in Garden of Memories, Waterloo, Iowa