Submitted by: Dan Rich

Betty J. Sommer

April 28, 1918 - March 24, 2008

South Bend Tribune 3/28/2008
SOUTH BEND - Betty J. Sommer, 89, of Hudson, NH, formerly a longtime resident of South Bend passed away Monday, March 24, in New Hampshire. Betty lived in South Bend for 60 years before moving to New Hampshire in 1999. She was born on April 28, 1918, in Elwood, IN, to the late Gladys (Moore) and John Klumpp.

On October 15, 1948, in South Bend, she married the love of her life, Edwin A. Sommer. He preceded her in death in 1984. However, prior to Edwin's death, she was his faithful caretaker during his last years of declining health. Also preceded her in death were her two sisters, Dorothy Taylor and JoAnn Loser; three brothers, John Kumpp, Maurice Klumpp, and Robert Klumpp; and her stepdaughter, Barbara Zeigert. Betty was a former member of the South Bend Country Club. She also volunteered for 10 + years for Meals on Wheels in South Bend. Betty loved planting summer annuals outdoors and carefully tending to her philodendrons indoors. Some of Betty's hobbies included reading and embroidery. However, Betty was a homemaker who put her children and her home first. Also, she hosted many holiday family gatherings and her Christmas Cookies were a tradition. Betty is survived by her loving family that will miss her but will never forget her love she gave them. Her daughter, Susan Sommer of Nashua, NH; her son, Dr. Thomas Henson and his wife, Pam of Boise, ID; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; her sister, Rosalind Brunson of Orland, IN; step son-in-law, Jack Zeigert of South Bend and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, March 28 in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, with Rev. James Campbell officiating. Friends may visit with her family one hour prior to the start of services. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley memorial Park, Granger.