TOMAH - Richard “Dick” R. Sommerfeldt, 90, of Tomah, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at the Morrow Home in Sparta, WI. Dick was born on October 2, 1933, to Ronald D. and Dorothy C. (Domke) Sommerfeldt on the Raliegh Clark farm south of Wilton, WI where he lived his entire youth life. He was a member of the Wilton High School Graduating Class of 1952. After graduation, Dick enlisted into the United States Air Force and was stationed overseas in England for two years during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as an Airman Third Class. He returned home in 1954 to marry his high school sweetheart, Lila M. Farmer on August 13, 1954, in Wilton. She preceded him in death on February 13, 2004. Dick and Lila moved to Montana for a few years before returning to Tomah in 1957. They resided in the Lemonweir area until 1961 when they purchased their forever home on Elm Street. Dick worked for Ranney’s Dairy from 1957-1967, for the 7-Up Bottle Company from 1967 to 1970 before returning to Volk Field as a contracting officer, retiring in 1993 as an Air Guardsman. Dick was fortunate to find love again in 2005 when meeting Myrna Giraud. They were united in marriage on March 19, 2006. She preceded him in death on January 3, 2023.
Throughout his lifetime, Dick enjoyed golfing. He was a member of the Holiday Lodge golf league and competed in couples’ league with Lila in his earlier years. He and Myrna took many golf trips to Tennessee in the later years. Dick enjoyed traveling and had the good fortune to travel with Lila to almost every state in the US. They also went to Niagara Falls, on family camping trips to Yellowstone, trips to the Grand Tetons and Florida are just a few of the countless trips that Dick was able to enjoy throughout the years. This time of year, Dick would look forward to planning snowmobiling trips around the state. He never passed up the opportunity to enjoy a turn around the dance floor. Dick also enjoyed hunting and was always excited when deer season was approaching. He loved to hunt with his kids and his grandkids through the years. Many memories were made. Watching and cheering his grandchildren and great grandchildren on at their sporting events brought him a tremendous amount of joy and he looked forward to every time he was able to spend time with them. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be dearly missed by those that loved him.
He is survived by his son; Kurt (Marilyn) Sommerfeldt of Rochester, MN; a daughter-in-law, Yvonne Sommerfeldt of Warrens; grandchildren and great greatgrandchildren; Aaron (Krista), their children, Reed and Kinzie; Joslyn (Mark), their children, Madisyn and Emma; Brian (Danielle) their children, McKinley and an expected grandchild in December, Danielle (Sam) their children, Nyah and Camden; Alicia (Curtiss), their children, Davisyn and Kallyn; stepchildren, Don (Sherri) of Tomah; Keith of Tomah; Craig (Michele) of Norwalk, Todd (Laurie) of Sparta; and Diane Sesolak of Lodi; step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Dorothy, his first wife Lila; second wife Myrna; son, Richard “Rick” Sommerfeldt; daughter, Susan Solberg – her partner in life Ray Hardimon; sister, Arlene Buddy; brother, Gordon Summerfield, sister-in-law, Beverly Schroeder, and brother-in-law Jim Farmer and his faithful four-legged companion, Lexus.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah, WI. Pastor David Dahl will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors by Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201 following the funeral. Lunch will be served at the Sonnenberg Funeral Home after the visit to the cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the funeral home and on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
Sonnenberg Funeral Home
