Obituary: Clifford R. Sommerfeld

Clifford R. Sommerfeld, 91, died Friday, March 17, 2017, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

He was born Feb. 12, 1926, in rural Canton to John and Elsie (Auernheimer) Sommerfeld.

On Aug. 8, 1970, he married Irene M. Talbott at Halstead, and she preceded him in death on March 6, 2017. Clifford was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Newton and Burrton American Legion, and he retired from the former Hesston Corp.

Clifford served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany, where he was with the team that liberated Dachow prison and was a Bronze Star recipient. He earned the rank of tech sergeant. He enjoyed woodworking and building furniture, which he shared with his loved ones. Gardening and camping were activities he enjoyed with his wife. They traveled with their trailer to 48 states and Canada. His family was very important to him, and he greatly enjoyed spending time with his loving family and many friends.

He is survived by his son Dennis (Alice) Sommerfeld of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter Sandra (Allen) Wilson of Lenexa; stepdaughters Linda (James) Bew of Tyler, Texas, and Trudee (Lance) Thornhill of Halstead; brothers Arnold (Judy) and Verlon (Lillie) Sommerfeld, both of Durham, and Ernest (Mary) Sommerfeld of Marquette; sister Ethel Kaiser of Wichita; sister-in-law Evelyn Sommerfeld of Newton; five grandchildren, Allyson, Matthew, Wesley, Meagan and Erin; and five great-grandchildren, Henry, Jack, Braxton, Drake and Braydon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister Elda Sommerfeld and brother Milford Sommerfeld.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, at Zion Lutheran Church in Newton with the Rev. Aaron Filipek presiding. Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton with the family receiving friends form 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Petersen’s. Burial will be in the Halstead City Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church in care of Petersen Funeral Home.

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