Marilyn Sommer

Marilyn Minnette Niebuhr Sommer, age 85, passed into Eternal Life on Saturday, July 30, 2016.

Born on May 15, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Albert E. "Shine" and Rosella Milling Niebuhr. On December 25, 1931, she received the sacrament of Holy Baptism in the First United Methodist Church in Brenham by the Rev. Ben Behrens.

On December 26, 1948, Marilyn and Floyd F. Sommer were united in marriage, and made their home in the rural community of William Penn on "The Bluff". Marilyn proudly called herself a homemaker, and together with Floyd, they raised their two children, Stanley Wayne and Frances Lynn. Marilyn assisted Floyd in their cotton ginning, farming and ranching business.

She became a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church at Sandy Hill on May 13, 1951, as she reaffirmed her faith in God and received the Rite of Confirmation by the Rev. A. M. Fiedler. She remained an active member until the time of her death. Her faith and understanding of God and His will was strengthened through Bible Study and church leadership opportunities. She was a faithful Sunday School teacher for 30 years, taught Vacation Bible School, helped lead Junior Lutherans, and served as the church secretary for several years. She was an active leader in the American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW), serving in numerous leadership capacities.

In 1960, when Marilyn first became active in the ALCW, the theme was "KNOW and DO the will of Jesus Christ." It was this purpose that guided her life, always knowing her shortcomings and faults, yet giving praise and glory to God for all things.

In 1986-87, she chaired the Transition Team for organizing the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Marilyn was a charter member of the William Penn Extension Homemakers Association (Texas Extension Education Association) since 1956, serving as club president, secretary, and treasurer as well as treasurer of the County Council. She was recently honored as a 60 year charter member.

She was a leader in the Sandy Hill 4-H Club for many years. She also participated in the Washington County Fair as an exhibitor, was chairman of the Women's Exhibit Building, and helped organize the first Country Store. She also served as a secretary of the Washington County Fair Association.

Throughout her life, Marilyn was always ready to lend an ear or helping hand to all of her family members and friends.

She is survived by her son, Stanley and wife Ann; daughter, Frances Scheffer and husband Billy; grandchildren: Stephen Scheffer and wife Deanna, Sarah Mueller and husband Brandon, Samuel Sommer and wife Megan, and Maria Hartstein and husband Cory; great-grandchildren: Sterling Scheffer, Stratton Scheffer, Charlotte Sommer, Caroline Sommer, and Benjamin Sommer; brother, James Niebuhr and wife Mary Lois; nieces and nephews: Dottie Schaer and husband John, Jr., Mike Niebuhr and wife Susan, Marilisa Corl and husband Tanner, Lanie Rygaard and husband Ricky, and Eric Niebuhr.

She was preceded in death by her husband Floyd; Floyd's infant brother, Fred, Jr. and sister, Dorothy; parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Hattie Sommer; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ethel and Raymond Kolkhorst; and nephew, Rob Niebuhr.

Visitation will be Wednesday 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Funeral services will be held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Sandy Hill, on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Kris Brower officiating. Burial will follow at the Sommer Family Cemetery on the Bluff.

Serving as pallbearers will be her grandchildren and spouses. Honorary pallbearers are her nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be given to St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy Hill, 8819 FM 2621, Brenham, TX 77833; Brazos Valley Hospice, 302 E. Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, TX 77833; or Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.

To send a flower arrangement to the family of Marilyn (Niebuhr) Sommer , please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.