Mary Helena Sommars

Mary Helena Sommars was born on April 14, 1921 at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas to Albert and Helena (Benke) Sommars. Her parents were living in Quenemo, Kansas. The family moved to Perry, Oklahoma where Mary attended Willow Creek grade school for eight years. She then attended high school in Sumner, Oklahoma for two years. The family moved to Chanute, Kansas in August 1937 where Mary graduated high school in 1940. Mary worked in Chanute after high school and assisted on the family farm. From 1960 until his death in 1965, Mary provided care for her father. She also served as her mother’s primary caregiver until her passing in 1980. Mary ran a cow/calf operation and shared in family farm work with her brother, Charles. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute and participated in volunteer activities. Mary was a lover of animals and cared for many dogs and cats throughout her life. Mary was also an avid genealogist and loved her family. She was always trying to find a family connection to people. Once found, you were family forever. For the last five years she made her home at Guest Home Estates III in Chanute. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brother Charles and his wife Twila; and sister-in-law, Edna. Mary is survived by brother Louis Sommars of Godfrey, Illinois; nephews and nieces, Steve (Arlene) Sommars, Carol (Jim) Roberts, Marlene (Dan) Spence, Donna Sommars, Wayne (Cathy) Sommars, Patty (Tony) Goeke, Mike (Trena) Sommars, Teresa (Gary) Kaczmarek; grandnieces and nephews; great-grand nieces and nephews; and cousins, in all of whom she took delight. Rosary will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute, Kansas at 9:00 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Chanute. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Memorials have been suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or Castaways Animal Shelter and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Services have been entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.

Mary Helena Sommars

April 14, 1921 - October 5, 2017