Eugene S. Sommers

MONONA - Eugene S. Sommers, age 90, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wis., where he was residing. He was born on March 30, 1927 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, the son of William Henry Sommers Jr. and Ida Soveina Sime. He married Audrey Schimelfiney on March 15, 1948. He is survived by his daughter, Jill Sommers (David Sanks); grandson, Travis Krajco (Vanessa) and his great-grandson, Connor Krajco. He was preceded in death by his parents; his three wives; five siblings and his favorite poodle, Jacque. Eugene grew up in Cottage Grove. His dad was a rural mail carrier and his mom stayed at home. His mom made all her own clothes. His dad also painted and wall-papered in his spare time. Eugene helped him on his mail route and with the painting and wall-papering. Eugene had three sisters and two brothers. His older brother died as a pilot on a B-24 in World War II. Wesley went on 25 missions before they finally got him. On his 26th mission they were flying home over Burma and there was a storm. They never found the plane. Eugene went to school in Cottage Grove. The school only had 10 grades so he went to Madison East for his final two years. He liked school. He worked at Oscar Mayer up to eight hours/day while in high school. Eugene worked in the sausage clean-up department. He got 75 cents/hour which was good money in those days. Eugene wanted to volunteer for the service during high school, but his mother wouldn't sign for him. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy. He wanted to go overseas, yet at that time his brother was missing and he was the sole surviving son. His request was denied. So, Eugene worked in Oklahoma and California for his two years in the service. He was in Oklahoma when the war ended. He remembered that people went nuts! Like his older brother, Eugene went to Madison Business College to study accounting. After that, he worked at Findorff for about two years. He then went on to work for the Farm Bureau in the fertilizer division as an accountant. His manager got canned, so Eugene joined with him and another partner to start a fertilizer manufacturing business in Marshall. Eugene stayed with that business for four years and then he decided to go out on his own. He contracted with Monsanto and had four retail fertilizer plants. Then along came Terra Chemicals. He sold out to them and was made a regional manager for Terra, overseeing twenty fertilizer plants. He retired from Terra in the late 70's. After his retiring from Terra, he worked at Wisconsin Power & Light as a right of way agent, going out and buying land from farmers where power lines were going in. He had to stop because of his eye sight. Eugene also sold real estate for a time after retirement. He loved to work. He always said he would work until he died. His loss of sight ended that goal. His first wife Audrey, a farm girl from Deerfield was a beautician. While they were living in Marshall she started a beauty salon there and one in Waterloo. They moved to Monona and lived on the river off Lake Monona. They had one daughter Jill, who recently retired from WISC-TV. His grandson, Travis, lives in Orlando with his wife Vanessa and Eugenes great-grandson, Connor. Audrey died in a fire of smoke inhalation. Eventually he married Betty and she died of a heart attack. Then he married Rhonda who he later divorced and that was the end of his women. Eugene was an avid golfer with a five handicap. He also loved motorcycles and enjoyed being a part of the motorcycle troupe with the Zor Shriners. Eugene said many times he had a full life, no regrets, just a lot of fun. He was always thankful for the life the good Lord gave him. At the request of Eugene he did not want a memorial service or funeral. There will be a private burial at a later date. All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services Madison (608)442-0477 www.866allfaiths.com