Obituary of Gustav Sommerfeld

Gustav Sommerfeld 1924 - 2016 Gustav Sommerfeld, age 91, passed away peacefully on August 29th, 2016. Gus was born on October 17th, 1924, in the Brightholme district. He was the youngest of 14, born to Johann and Mathilda Sommerfeld. He attended Mount Teviot school, walking 1 ½ miles across country. Gus quit school in Grade 7 to help his mother and brother Mike on the farm. In 1946 Gus took over the homestead. He farmed with horses the first year, and bought his first tractor in 1947. On July 7, 1951, Gus married Dora Hoehn at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Brightholme. This is the church where he was baptized and confirmed. Later in life he was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shellbrook, serving on council for a number of years as well. Gus farmed on the homestead until 1956. That year was very dry and the crops were poor, so Gus decided to look for work in Alberta. He found a job in Evansburg with Dowell Chemical, hauling bulk cement to service oil rigs. In 1961, he bought another 2 quarters of land in the Shellbrook area and the family moved back to Saskatchewan. In 1964, they moved the house from the homestead to the new farm and planted 900 trees for a shelter belt. He farmed until 1984, when they sold the farmland. They kept the farmyard and the home in which they raised the family. In 1990 they sold the acreage and moved into a house in Shellbrook. This was home until the autumn of 2013, when Gus moved into long term care at the Parkland Integrated Health Centre in Shellbrook. Gus will be remembered as a hard worker, and for his love of the farm life. Even in retirement he enjoyed helping on the farm of his son Dennis, driving the silage truck every summer. He had a fun loving nature, and his family remembers his smiles and laugher. In his retirement he enjoyed reading, visiting with family and friends, and gardening. He was particularly proud of the rose that grew in front of the house in Shellbrook. Gus was a devoted husband to his wife Dora, lovingly at her side until his final day. Gus is lovingly remembered by: his wife of 65 years, Dora Sommerfeld (nee: Hoehn); his children: Jerry (Deb) Sommerfeld and their children: Jonathan Sommerfeld (Emily Enoch); Joshua Sommerfeld (Nicole Dubyk). Iris (Vincent) Milburn and their children: Elan (Blair) Proctor; Luke (Melissa) Milburn and their daughter, Mikella; Vanessa Milburn. Ernie (Jocelyn) Sommerfeld and their children: Rachel (Blair) Jensen and their daughters, Riley and Harper; Lindsey (Jory) Blakley. Dennis (Joan) Sommerfeld and their children: Antonia Sommerfeld; Mathew (Teanne) Sommerfeld and their children, Mya and Colton; Dane Sommerfeld (Ashleigh) and their daughter, Kye. His brother-in-law Alfred (Lila) Hoehn, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday September 3rd, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Shellbrook, SK. His niece, Pastor Melissa Brooks, officiated. Interment followed at Brightholme Cemetery. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made to Brightholme Cemetery Fund. 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 (Shellbrook 306-747-2828).