Etsel Sommer

Etsel Edward Sommer, 92, of Idaho Falls, passed away January 31, 2016, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He was under the care of his loving family.

Etsel was born January 28, 1924, in Hibbard, Idaho, to Edward Sommer and Alice Ethel Hendricks Sommer. He grew up and attended public schools in Rexburg, Idaho. He served as a Sergeant in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. As a crew member on a B-17, he was shot down over Holland on Easter Sunday 1944. He was taken prisoner shortly after and kept as a prisoner of war for thirteen months in the infamous Stalag 17.

On August 4, 1945, he married Maxine Scheets in Elko, Nevada. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on October 4, 1950. To this union were born seven children, Michael, Jeffrey, Kevin, Laurie, Shelly, David, and Thomas. Etsel and Maxine made their home in Idaho Falls, where Etsel worked as an 8th generation mason contractor. Maxine passed away on December 30, 2009.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many positions, including Bishop of the Ammon 1st Ward. He also served on the Bonneville School District #93 School Board. He enjoyed bowling, playing pool, fishing, traveling, and snowmobiling.

Etsel is survived by his son, Michael John (Jeannie) Sommer of Idaho Falls; son, Jeffrey Edward (Terisa) Sommer of Idaho Falls; son, Kevin Eric (Terri) Sommer of Honolulu, HI; daughter, Laurie Ann (Mark) Welker of Idaho Falls; daughter, Shelly Lee (Paul) Snarr of Idaho Falls; son, David Matthew Sommer of Idaho Falls; son, Thomas Etsel (Jeffrey Webb) Sommer of Salt Lake City, UT; brother, Jack Sommer of Hibbard, ID; 24 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine Sommer. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016, at the Ammon LDS 1st Ward, 3000 Central Avenue, with Bishop Alan Johnson officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery, where Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Lincoln Court, and especially Etsel’s friend, Patsy Grady.

Funeral Services will be held