Arthur A. Sommer

Memorial Mass for Arthur Sommer, 81, Lawrence, KS will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence. He passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.

Art was born on September 9, 1938 in Lawrence, KS, the son of the late Albert and Charlotte (Hadl) Sommer.

Art attended New York School, Lawrence Jr. High School and Lawrence High School.

Art was a business owner of Art’s Cycle Shop and Lawrence Yamaha.

He then worked for Morgan Concrete for many years.

He drove “Old Yeller” for Don Baxter and was an active member of the Wheel Sports Club.

He was a fun loving dad and grandpa. Art deeply loved his parents and siblings.

Art enjoyed motorcycle riding, boating (loved teaching his kids to ski), cranking homemade ice-cream, fishing (frying up a mess of crappie), tending a beautiful garden, running the trains for his grandchildren and playing Santa for his children, nieces and nephews.

He married Verma Rome on December 5, 1970 in Topeka, KS. She survives the home.

Survivors include his children; Laurie E. Sommer, Missy (Hiram-deceased) Salvini, Kevin Sommer from his first marriage to Judy Demos. Other children include; Lisa (Doug) Gaston, Lori (Kevin) Durrant, Lyle Hammerschmidt. Grandchildren; Lauren (Caitlin) Ballard, Brandon Salvini, Maggie Salvini, Emma Salvini, Sean (Michelle) Coffman, Cory Gaston, Katie Gaston, Chris Gaston, Jarrett Durrant, Tyler Hammerschmidt, Tara Hammerschmidt, Alex Hammerschmidt. Great-grandchildren; Emma Borders, Madilynn Borders, Mae Ballard, brothers; Marvin (Carolyn) Sommer, Loren Joseph (Sherri Cannon) Sommer, sister, Karon (Gary) Kennedy, brother-in-law, Chuck (Mary-deceased) Ledom, and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be Rosary starting at 6:00 p.m., Monday, November 25, 2019 followed by a visitation until 8:00 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the Lawrence Yamaha Thursday Night Group, Bob Morgan, his coffee buddy and lifelong friend Neal Eller.

The family suggests memorials in his name to Sarah Cannon Cancer Center C/O Kidney Cancer, VNA Hospice, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

20 Condolences

  1. MIKE AND ROSEMARY HADL on November 21, 2019 at 2:24 pm

    Dear Verma and Family, so sorry for your loss…May he rest in peace…



  2. Loren joe (jody) Sommer on November 21, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    I would like to first say that i really feel for verma and there kids and grand kids. Art was a great brother but more so a freind. He was also father figure to me. I was the baby brother, sixteen years older so art filled in for my aging dad who was born in 1900. Love you brother may you rest in peace.



  3. Tracy Wingebach on November 21, 2019 at 3:01 pm

    Verma and family
    I’m so sorry, Art was such a nice guy with a great laugh! God has his arms wrapped around you Verma. Prayers for you and your family.



  4. Bud and Mary Jo Hadl on November 21, 2019 at 4:53 pm

    Dear Verma and family, we were so saddened to hear of Art’s passing. Bud will always remember the good times when Art would come out to Uncle Len’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Big hugs for you Verma.❤



  5. George, and Cheryl Hunsinger on November 21, 2019 at 6:38 pm

    To the family. Was saddened to read about Art. Got to know him, and Verma, when I delivered their heating fuel. I can some what remember his father Al when I was a kid. Wonderful people. Verme, Lisa, Lori, and Lyle, you are in our thoughts, and prayers.



  6. Cindy Hadl-Bornong on November 21, 2019 at 8:20 pm

    Verma and Family. So so sorry for your loss of Art. As I grew up with Jody, we would visit his shop often. He was a great person.
    Cindy Hadl-Bornong.



  7. Kathy Ledom on November 21, 2019 at 10:45 pm

    I loved my Uncle Art. I can see him hand cranking the homemade ice cream outside Grandma Sommers house & rubbing his whiskers on my neck to make me laugh! What fun times we all had together. May you Rest In Peace.
    Aunt Verma- May you find peace and strength in all the love and prayers that are being sent your way. We love you dearly. ❤️



  8. Ted & Judy Juneau on November 21, 2019 at 11:26 pm

    Ted & I are thinking of you, Lori, your Mom, and your entire family. We, like you, are grateful that your dad did not suffer for a long time!
    Treasure all the sweet & fun memories you have of your dad! We send our love & comfort at this time of loss. ????



  9. Amy (Wempe) Douglass on November 22, 2019 at 7:21 am

    Verma-
    Although I do not believe I had the pleasure of knowing Art well, I am saddened to learn his earthly duties have been fulfilled and he has been called home. You have always been family to me, such a treasured part of nearly all my memories of Grandma Peg. Thoughts and prayers with you and yours now and always.

    Much love-
    Amy (Wempe) Douglass and family.



  10. Dixie Ravgiala on November 22, 2019 at 7:54 am

    Verma,
    I’m so sorry for your loss. Art was one of the good guys. I know he will be missed by so many. Prayers and sympathy to you and your family.
    Dixie Ravgiala



  11. David Eller on November 23, 2019 at 2:54 pm

    Big Art from Lawrence was and always be a legend in my mind. He has been such a great friend to my dad and I always felt that he was part of our family. The last few years I was always glad to see him at dads house when he came by for coffee.
    He will truly be missed. Love and prayers to all of his family



  12. Neal and Rebecca Eller on November 23, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    Our family but especially Neal has lost a great friend. Art was always there whenever we needed anything. We will all miss him very much. Neal has so many great memories and that’s what is keeping his spirits up at this extremely sad time. Our hearts, our love, and prayers are with all his family, and especially Verma who Neal called “Saint Verma”, his children and grandchildren, great grandchildren, his brothers and sister, and everyone else in his family.



  13. Lyle on November 23, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    Our last names are different but Art is my dad. I was so fortunate he came into my mom sisters and my life 50 years ago . So much of who I am is because of him . Growing up I did so much hot rods motor cycles water sports camping family fun . He never once made me feel like a step son even when I did really stupid and embarrassing things. He was old school we didn’t always say love ya but I knew and I hope he did. I am really missing him and love him. Make sure you tell the ones you love and don’t get to busy you don’t spend time together when there gone it sucks



  14. Gary Tollefson on November 24, 2019 at 7:27 am

    Verma, I am so sorry to read of Art’s passing, wow, he was an icon in the Lawrence community forever…lots of memories come to mind from Don’s Speed Shop days, memories that will stay forever…may you find the peace that passes all understanding, and that peace is found only in Jesus Christ, and may He bring the comfort and the strength that you need during this difficult time…



  15. Greg Ledom on November 24, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    To my aunt Verma, cousins, aunts and uncles that make up my uncle Art’s family circle. May you gain peace and strength in the coming days. Although I haven’t had much contact with my uncle once our families grew up, got big and didn’t gather as we once did, I loved him as an uncle. I have fond memories of Lawrence Yamaha and riding motorcycles that he would let us ride whether their at his shop or out at his place South of Lawrence. A pig roast one time, riding go-carts, and yes, churning (vie crank) homemade ice cream by hand. Uncle Art was a very kind and generous man that will surely be missed. My sincere condolences to my Aunt Verma and family.



  16. Karen Frick on November 24, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    Dearest Verma and Family.
    You and Art have been part of our family for so many years. Fondly recall the times you and Art and I sat at your kitchen table sharing a snack, tea or coffee.
    One summer day stands out clearly now. Art took us Boating at Clinton Lake. We talked about fishing and what lures work well. He was so patient and kind.
    Verma, Laurie, Lisa, Missy, Lori, Kevin, Lyle and family May you find comfort in knowing that there is much Love surrounding you.
    May the Grace of God’s Loving presence surround, support and uplift you All.
    Karen Frick and family



  17. Gary Blevins on November 25, 2019 at 10:20 am

    Art was definitely one of the Good Guys. Always chipper and friendly. Even to his strongest competitors. He and his Dad are a part of Lawrence forever.



  18. Billy & Julie Brumley on November 25, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    Verma and all family:
    We are all so sorry for your loss. Art was a great neighbor and a good man. We have been lucky to know Art and Verma as well as your entire family. Julie and I were on vacation and it snowed 2 feet while we were gone. We came home to find our driveway clean. Art came over and cleared it for us. He was thoughtful, fun, and I always enjoyed talking to him. Daniel spent a lot of time at your home and he has great memories of all the fun he had there. Art will be missed. We love you.



  19. Marsene Feldt on November 27, 2019 at 8:01 am

    Dear Verma and family,
    I am so sorry for your loss. He was an integral part of an amazing family.



  20. Charles Cornwell on December 9, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    Dear Verma and family-Art and I go back about 75 years. Altar boys at St. John’s, going to KU BB games at Hoch, and school through jr high and LHS.



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