Obituary of Eric Martin Sommerfeld

Eric Sommerfeld Our beloved Grandfather Eric Martin Sommerfeld was born on October 15, 1928 in the Brightholme district to Edward and Pauline Sommerfeld. Eric grew up in Brightholme where he attended school and farmed with his father. In 1944 Eric moved to Shellbrook and bought land in Rozilee. Eric farmed with his father Edward until 1955 then he bought more land in the Rich Valley District. He soon after married Velma Skauge and they made their first home in Rich Valley. In May of 1957 their oldest son Grant was born, soon followed by their middle child Gord in 1959. In July of 1959 Eric and Velma sold their farm and purchased land from Eric’s parents. In 1962 they welcomed their daughter Brenda to the family. Besides working on the farm, Eric was actively involved in many committees such as the Parkland School Division, Shellbrook Minor Sports, Coop board, and the Rozilee snow plow committee. Eric coached minor sports and was also involved with the Shellbrook Knights and Elks Hockey Team for numerous years as the trainer. Eric was a man who was able to go through life doing the things he loved; farming, being with all us grand kids going to hockey, 4H shows, ball games, all while never missing a single one. The trait Eric’s family and friends will remember most will be his strong work ethic. This was most evident when it came to farming – his number one passion in life. His cattle really were something special to him and that was easily seen with how much time he spent outside with them. Along with this work ethic came punctuality – Eric was always the first to arrive for anything. If Eric wasn’t at his farm fixing things that probably didn’t even need to be fixed, he was at everyone else’s farm, also trying to fix things but that was just his way of showing he cared about you. Eric’s grandchildren have fond memories of Grandpa always taking time for them, whether it was taking them down to the barn repeatedly to see the kittens or climbing a ladder to bring down a birds nest to show them, he was always eager and always had a big smile for them. They will miss sharing hockey stories with him and arguing over who was better. Go Red Wings! Eric is lovingly survived by his wife of 59 years, Velma Sommerfeld; his children, Gord (Brenda) Sommerfeld and their children, Cody, Britta McKenzie (Max), and Emma; Brenda (Dennis) Cromartie and their children, Lauren, Karen, and Kristen; Grant’s children, Shawn (Chelsea) Henry and their children, Haiti, Avery, Kieran; his siblings, Ann Jacobs, Bobbi Scott, Wanda Knoll, Reinhold (Donna), Erwin (Inez); numerous nieces, nephews, siblings-in-law; and his special pal, Fritz (The Cat). Eric is predeceased by his son, Grant Sommerfeld in 1976; his parents, Edward & Pauline Sommerfeld; his siblings, Martha Christiansen, Eleanor Evenson, and Ida Lubke. The Funeral Service for Eric took place on Friday, November 27, 2015 at 1pm at St. Agatha’s RC Church in Shellbrook with Larry Brossart officiating. Eric was laid to rest in the Shellbrook Cemetery. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made in memory of Eric to the Shellbrook Minor Sports (Box 1114 Shellbrook, SK S0J 2E0). Family and friends wishing to send private online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Tammy Smart – Director (Shellbrook 306-747-2828).