Sommer, Rose Mosiman (1876-1944)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Aug 24 p. 3

Birth date: 1876 Dec 26

text of obituary:

MRS. ROSE (MOSIMAN) SOMMER

Rose Mosiman Sommer, daughter of Christian and Anna Mosiman, was born in Canton, Berne, Switzerland on December 26, 1876, and departed this life at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital in newton, Kansas, on August 11, 1944, at 4:30 P. M., having reached the age of 67 years, 7 months and 15 days.

At the age of 7 years she, with her parents and brother Fred, migrated to the United Stats, settling in the Whitewater, Kansas, community. A few years later her father bought a farm west of Elbing which became their permanent home.

In her early life, upon the confession of her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, she was baptized and joined the Swiss Mennonite church near Whitewater. Later she transferred her membership to the Missionary church of Elbing, where she remained a faithful member until her death.

Being the oldest and only daughter she was a big help in the home; however she felt the urge to enter a more direct field of Christian service. The Lord wonderfully directed her to the J. A. Sprunger orphanage in Bern, Indiana, where she worked several years and then was transferred, together with the moving of the Orphanage, to Birmingham, Ohio. It was there that she learned to know and to love Abraham Sommer, who was also a worker at the orphanage. On May 7, 1905, these two were united in holy matrimony. When their first son was six months old they moved and settled in the Elbing communitiy [sic]. Here their family was made complete with three more sons and one daughter.

In 1927 they moved to the Potwin community, where she spent the remaining years of her life. She was a kind and loving wife and mother. No work was too hard, and no sacrifice too great to make for her loved ones. She was specially concerned about their spiritual welfare. Her kind, thoughtful ways and her cheerful disposition won the love of all who knew her. Her utmost desire was to be a shining light for her Lord and master whom she loved and served. Her life was well seasoned with thanksgiving to Him from whom all blessings flow.

For the last two years her health was not good. She gradually became worse and on July 22, 1944, was taken, in a serious condition, to the Bethel Deaconess Hospital. There she greatly appreciated and enjoyed the tender care which was given her. She also enjoyed to the fullest extent the visits of her many friends. Little did she realize that her beloved friend, Sister Frieda, would go on before and welcome her on the other side.

Many prayers had been offered for her recovery, but the Lord who doeth all things well saw fit to take her out of this word into the beautiful home which He had prepared for her.

During the last four days of her life, she became very weak, although not suffering great pain. She seemed to be an an unconscious state until the last few minutes of her life, when in a miraculous way the Lord awakened her and gave her enough strength to shake hands with the members of her family who were at her bedside. After being assured that she would meet each one again she lifted her eyes heavenward and fell asleep with a beautiful smile on her face.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband; four sons: Samuel, Potwin; Jonathan, Towanda; and John and Isaiah, both of Potwin; and one daughter, Marian Ewert, Potwin; four daughters-in-law, one so-in-law, 14 grandchildren, four brothers and their families and a host of friends. Our loss will be keenly felt, but we sorrow not as those who have no hope, for we shall meet again where there will be no parting.

Funeral services were held Sunday, August 13, 1944. A short service was held at the family home in Potwin at 1:00 P. M., with Rev. Theodore Roth in charge. A girls' trio composed of Bette Ried, Lydia Fielder and Sara Fielder sang "Near to the Heart of God". At 2:30 P. M. funeral services were held at the Missionary church in Elbing with Rev. A. A. Schmidt and Rev. H. J. Dyck both taking part in the services. At this service the girls' trio sang "Face to Face" and "The Treasures of Earth are not Mine." Burial was made in the Missionary church cemetery with Rev. H. B. Schmidt in charge. A mixed quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Ewert, Linda Ewert and Oliver Klassen sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus". Rex M. Moody of Moody's Funeral Home of Newton was the funeral director in charge.