Keith D. Sommer 90 years and 11 months passed away on June 4, 2018, at his home with his wife, Phyllis, by his side.
Funeral services for Keith will be held Thursday, June 7, 2018, at 10:30 AM at the Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow, NE, with Minister Kathy Salts, PMA officiating. Burial will follow at the Merna Cemetery in Merna, NE. Memorials will be designated to the Anselmo Merna Foundation. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM with family greeting 5 to 7 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.govierbrothers.com.
Keith was born July 4, 1927, to Almore and Esther Collinson Sommer. He was raised and lived his entire life in the Merna area.
He married Phyllis Bartak on April 21, 1949. They moved to the Cliff Table area, where they raised five children, and enjoyed 69 years of marriage in the same home.
Keith served in the military and did a variety of jobs in his life. He and his brother Warren ran a service station, he painted buildings, including the old Co-op elevators in Merna, he was a commercial truck driver, he and his tractor helped the Highway Department put in Highway 92 between Merna and Arnold and he did a lot of custom farm work for others. These jobs all helped him develop his own enterprise. He worked hard until his retirement and then continued to help his boys for many more years.
Keith served as a director on the Co-op Elevator Board. He and Phyllis enjoyed traveling to Spain, Mexico and other shorter trips with the directors. For entertainment, Keith loved to square dance and play games.
After his retirement, Keith and Phyllis enjoyed traveling in their camper. They traveled to Texas and Oregon on a yearly basis and also traveled to California, Mexico, Alaska, and Canada.
Keith is survived by his wife Phyllis, his sons Cary (Connie) Sommer of Callaway, Mark Sommer of Kearney, daughter Corinne Sommer of North Platte, sons Russ Sommer of Baton Rouge and Lane (Rhonda) Sommer of Anselmo, grandchildren Lance Sommer of Broken Bow, Britt Sommer of Lincoln, Megan Sommer of Merna, great-grandchildren Aliyah, August and Felicia Sommer of Broken Bow. Keith is also survived by one sister, Geraldine Wilkin of Murdock and many nieces and nephews.
Keith is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.
