Erna Catherine Sommers

Erna Catherine Sommers, 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 after a short stay at Grace Care Center at Northpointe in Tomball, TX. Her devotion to family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggles and ultimately gave her peace. Erna was born to parents Raymond L. Campbell and Catherine Bockwinkel, in St. Louis, MO on September 15, 1934. From an early age, she was immersed in the Catholic community which became her lifelong support. She graduated from Tulsa, Oklahoma Central High School in 1952. Erna was blessed with a loving family; she married her best friend Peter F. Sommers. They met at the Tulsa Catholic Activities Center and later married at Holy Family Catholic Cathedral on November 19, 1955. For all of their 62 years together, they were devout Catholics and longtime parishioners of Tulsa’s St. Mary’s Parish and later of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Tomball, TX. She was a devoted and loving wife to Peter and a dedicated mother to their three children. Together they raised their children with encouragement and discipline. She taught them to read, write and provided them an outstanding example of strength and determination for succeeding at things important in their lives. From the very beginning of their life together, Erna dedicated her marriage, herself and her children to God and displayed an unwavering devotion to volunteer work. While the children were in Grade School at St. Mary’s, Erna began her volunteer efforts in the cafeteria. For her efforts in the Church office, she was described as the “woman behind the scenes”. For more than 20 years, she applied her talent for organization preparing mailings for the groups she loved. Several days a week, you’d find her at the St. Mary’s office or the Multiple Sclerosis Society getting out the message in the many information pamphlets, bulletins, newsletters and other communications needing to be mailed. For her efforts at the MS Society Oklahoma Chapter, Erna was nominated and won the 2001 Annual President’s Volunteer of the Year Award. In addition to the full-time responsibilities of family and nearly full-time volunteer work with these organizations, Erna pursued her true passion of helping with the mentally ill through her 30 year service with Recovery International. Recovery is a self-help mental health organization helping people who suffer from overwhelming anxiety and tension, anger, depression, fatigue and other stress-related conditions. Erna was a Recovery Group Leader for more than 30 years and served as the Oklahoma and Kansas Area Leader for 7 years. Erna also gave time and effort to the Local Red Cross where she was Volunteer of the Year several times over. With much of Erna’s time spent with family and on volunteer efforts, she still made time for her favorite Dallas Cowboys Football and some reading each day. Erna had a kind and loving heart. She was caring and soft-spoken, and always had time to listen or answer a question. She is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her Lord. Erna is survived by her husband of 62 years, Peter; her sister Nancy Wilk and husband Charles Brown; their children and spouses, Cathey (Jeff) Keaton, Millie (Bob) Emerson, John (Thresa) Sommers; her grandchildren Adam (Samantha), Hayden, Maaike and Johann; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her mother, father, brother and his spouse, Raymond and Susie Campbell. Viewing will be Monday, July 9, from 2 to 4 pm, at the Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, July 10, 10:00 am, at Church of St. Mary, followed with interment at the Calvary Cemetery. Friends can honor Erna’s memory with contributions to their favorite charities. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151

Erna Catherine Sommers

September 15, 1934 - July 4, 2018