IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Ernest Sommerfeld

A memorial service for Ernest Allen Sommerfeld, 92, Olathe, who passed away July 1, 2024, will be 2 p.m., Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Canton Community Center, 100 S. Main St., Canton.

The family will receive visitors immediately after the service. Private inurnment will be later at Valley View Cemetery, Roxbury.

Born March 6, 1932, on a family farm in Canton, he was the fourth child of Charles John and Elsie (Auernheimer) Sommerfeld.

In 1949, the family moved to Wonsevu. Ernie graduated from Cedar Point High School in 1950.

On April 5, 1975, Ernie married Mary Blake at Marquette. The couple had two children: John and Katrina. Ernie also helped to raise his wife’s children from her previous marriage: Darrel, Penny, and Maryann Willoughby.

Ernie farmed for most of his life across the state of Kansas. He worked for Merrill Christiansen near Durham for 25 years.

Ernie was preceded in death by Mary, his wife of 49 years. He also was preceded by his parents; brothers Cliff, Milford, and Arnie; sister Elda; and daughter Maryann Willoughby.

Survivors include sister Ethel Kaiser of Lenexa; brother Verlin Sommerfeld of Durham; sons Darrel Willoughby and John Sommerfeld of Biloxi, Mississippi; and daughters, Penny Willoughby of Seattle and Kat Jameson of Independence, Missouri.

He was blessed with nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Ernest Sommerfeld Memorial Fund through Olson’s Mortuary, PO Box 355, Canton KS 67428.