Jeanette Dorothy (Sommer) Wortmann of Martinsburg, Mo., passed away 7/25/2023, in Mexico, Missouri, at the age of 86.
Jeanette was born Jan. 25, 1937, at home near St. Paul, Mo., and was a lifelong Missouri resident. She and her husband, Donald “Don/Donnie” J. Wortmann, lived in the Martinsburg area on a farm since 1961, where they raised seven children; their kids could always count on Mom and Dad for guidance and as role models. All seven kids graduated from at least high school because of their parents' support. Before having children, Jeanette also worked at a lightbulb factory, and she volunteered frequently at St. Joseph’s Church and School in Martinsburg.
She loved God, her family, quilting, flowers, cooking, baking, canning, sewing, hosting family events (especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter), chickens, gardening, being a good steward of the land, playing the organ and accordion, visiting with friends and family, playing cards and dominos, traveling and going to old thresher events and tractor pulls with her husband, Don. All who knew her will miss her.
Most of her family lived in Missouri. Survivors include two daughters — Diane (and Dave) Davis of Columbia and Karen (and Jay) Johnson of Ashland; five sons — Mark (and Jane) Wortmann of Mexico, Marty (and Ann) Wortmann of Huntsville, Eddie (and Evelyn) Wortmann of Overland Park, Kans., Danny (and Teresa) Wortmann of Wardsville, Rich (and Caroline) Wortmann of Franktown, Colo.; as well as 18 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, sister Bernice Halmick Gruen of Gerald, Mo., and numerous nieces and nephews.
Many of her immediate family preceded her in death, including parents, Leo and Rose (Hakenewerth) Sommer; brothers Lawrence (and Clementine “Clemie”) Sommer, Norbert (and Naomi) Sommer, Andrew (and Barbara “Bobbie”) Sommer, Wilbert and Darlene “Dotty” Sommer, Sylvester (and Ethel) Sommer and Roman Sommer; and sister Mary Rose (and Aloys J. “Hans”) Weber. Jeanette was the youngest of nine children.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Martinsburg. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Visitation is from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Monday at Arnold Funeral Home in Mexico. A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or School in Martinsburg.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com
