Edward Sommerfeld

Edward Lee Sommerfeld was born on March 1, 1929, the son of Edward W. and Bertha Sprain Sommerfeld in the Salem community of Washington County, Texas. He died at his home on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at the age of 77 years, 7 month, and 13 days. Mr. Sommerfeld was baptized on May 26, 1929 at Salem Lutheran Church of Salem by the Rev. William Utesch. He was confirmed at Salem on April 18, 1943 and continued as a lifelong member of Salem. He was a graduate of Brenham High School and Blinn College. He married Dorothy Jean Pohlmeyer on November 7, 1954 at Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham. Mr. Sommerfeld was a plumber by trade, working for Major Incorporated for many years and later at Brenham State School for ten years. After a short time of self-employment, he then served as a security guard at Brenham National Bank until his retirement. He earned his Eagle Scout award in his youth. He also served in the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion for over 50 years. He enjoyed his involvement at Salem Lutheran Church on the Building Committee and as a Luther League sponsor for many years. He was also a member of the Salem Fire Department and the Salem Shooting Club. Mr. Sommerfeld s favorite pastime was cooking. This enjoyment he turned into Mr. Ed s Catering Service, which provided the community with delicious meals for over 10 years in his retirement. He also enjoyed gardening and spending time on his farm with many animals and pets. His hobbies included making wine and sausage, fishing, gardening, beekeeping, and traveling with friends and family. These talents and hobbies he shared with his children and grandchildren. Many in the community are familiar with Sommerfeld s Camphouse, which he built and maintained and where many parties were enjoyed over the years. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Sommerfeld of Brenham; Debbie and Bishop Ray Tiemann of Fredericksburg; David and Kim Sommerfeld and Donna and Joe Muegge, all of Brenham; grandchildren Daniel and Rebecca Tiemann, Justin and Kayla Menard, and Catherine and Caroline Young; sisters and brothers-in-law Elizabeth and the late Willie Kolwes, Jr. and Evelyn and the late Arnold Naumann, both of Brenham; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Maxine and Louis Schwarze, Jr. of Brenham. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Fred and Paula Pohlmeyer; and a grandson, Aaron Paul Tiemann. Pallbearers are Lloyd Schwarze, Michael Schwarze, Jeff Schwarze, Jeff Appel, Monte Warmke, William C. Kolwes, Ray Weiss, Clarence Hodde, Ronnie Haevischer, and Mickey Hueske. Honorary pallbearers are Hermann and Joyce Ahrens, Louis and Loretta Gaskamp, Burney and Earline Boecker, Veril Dick and Barbara Dietzmann, Eddie and Mary Hugo, and Ron and Karla Kuecker. Funeral services for Edward Lee Sommerfeld will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at Salem Lutheran Church of Salem with the Rev. Charles Parnell officiating. Interment will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Salem Lutheran Memorial Fund or the charity of your choice.