Tom Sommer

Tom Sommer, age 58, Cavalier, ND, left us to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 19, 2008, in Fargo. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation on Tuesday, July 22nd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Jensen-Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND. Inurnment will be at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan, ND. Military rites by Laverne J. Thompson Post #11, Cavalier American Legion
Thomas K. Sommer was born on July 28, 1949 at Grafton, ND to Isabelle J. (Restemayer) and Orland Sommer. He grew up rural Cavalier and graduated from Cavalier High School in 1967. He attended State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND prior to enlisting in the US Army in 1970. He served in Vietnam for one year. On October 10, 1970, he married Catherine "Cathy" Stark of Neche, ND. After his Army service was completed, Tom and Cathy settled in rural Cavalier, where they raised their family. They were blessed with three sons, Chris (Diane) Sommer of Devils Lake, ND, Adam of Vancouver, WA, and Mathew (Mary) of Fargo, ND. Tom was the best husband any wife could have and a wonderful Dad too. His oldest grandson, Chris Jr. was his special fishing buddy and his other three little grandsons, Jeffrey, Mason, and Madden were also dear to his heart.
After his Army service was completed, Tom farmed until 1990, and then he worked for Lorrich Industries until leaving in the fall of 1992 to attend the technical college in East Grand Forks in 1992, where he received his certificate of completion for central supplies technician in 1993. Tom worked for Motor Coach Industries from 1994 to 2000 when he retired due to disability.
Tom was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Cavalier, ND, currently serving as a trustee. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #11 of Cavalier and the Valley Cruisers car club. Tom's hobbies included working on his cars, gardening, fishing and travel. He especially loved spend time at Devils Lake at their trailer and most weekends were spent entertaining family and friends there in the summertime.
Tom was a strong man, surviving a diagnosis of lymphoma in 1988 and treatments at that time, a severe burn in 2000 and a return of lymphoma in 2000. He received a stem-cell transplant in March of 2001, survived congestive heart failure in 2003, and received pacemaker in April of this year, and finally succumbed to a recurrence of a very fast growing lymphoma. He endured much, but it made him the person he was.
He is survived by his wife, mother, sons, grandsons, two sisters, Joni (Don) Latozke, Neche, ND and Jackie (Curt) Stark, Neuman Lake, WA, two brothers, Tim, Park River, ND and Lynn (Donna), Washburn, ND, special aunt, Vergel Ritter, Cavalier, many nephews and nieces, extended family and friends.
Preceding him in death was his father.
Clergy: Rev. Lori Broschat
Honorary Pallbearers: Kenny Briese, Leo Lage, Alan Latozke, Lee Latozke, and Christopher Sommer, Jr.
Music: Roger Hartz, Soloist and Cheryl Hartz, Organist.