Louise J. Sommers, (nee Brilliott), age 71, of West Bend, passed away Monday February 11, 2008 quietly at her home in the company of her family.
She was born on August 9, 1936 in Baraboo to the late Lester and Opal (nee Thompson) Brilliott, and was united in marriage to Orvan Sommers on July 22, 1955 in Chicago, IL. They moved to West Bend in 1958.
Louise started working at Kohl's Department store in West Bend shortly after it opened. She continued there until retiring in 2004, after 25 years. Louise enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her trips to Walt Disney World with her granddaughters. She also enjoyed collecting elephants, gardening, and shopping.
Louise was a member of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church for the past 45 years.
She is survived by her husband, Orv; two sons, William R. (Jean L.) Sommers, and David A. (Jacqueline J.) Sommers, both of West Bend; 5 grandchildren, Katelyn M. Sommers, and Leah M. Sommers, both of West Bend, Cassandra L. (Thomas) Fechter of Waukesha, Amber B. Dreher of North Chicago, IL, and Mitchell C. Dreher of Coopersburg, PA; four sisters, Deanna (Terry) Wise of Baraboo, Roseann Aldridge of Baraboo, Joan (Al) Colgrove of Columbus, MT, and Mary (Jim) Cappon of Absarokee, MT; two brothers, John Brilliott of Baraboo, and David Brilliott of Calais, ME; three sisters-in-law, Mabel Hummel of Middleton, Edna (Bud) Kramer of Waupun, and Carolyn (Gene) Zehnpfennig of Reedsburg; a brother-in-law, William I. Sommers of Pardeeville; other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by one sister, one brother, along with other relatives.
A memorial service to remember Louise will be held on Thursday February 14th at 10:30 am at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, West Bend (809 S. 6th Ave.). Rev. Jeff Dorth will officiate. A reception to share memories with the family will follow. Private inurnment of her cremated remains will be held at a later date in Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials to the ALS Association (2505 N. 124th St. Suite 105, Brookfield, WI 53005) or St. John's Lutheran Church (809 S. 6th Ave., West Bend, WI 53095) are appreciated.
Louise's family wishes to extend a special thank you to Gina Schroeder for her loving care of Louise, and to the ALS Association for their support and equipment loan program.