Louise Houser

Louise Houser
Louise Anna (Sommer) Houser, 105, of Berne passed away Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at Swiss Village where she was a resident for 12 years. She was born Jan. 21, 1918, in Geneva to Jacob and Emma (Kneuss) Sommer. She was married Nov. 20, 1941, to Ward Houser.
She graduated valedictorian of her class at Geneva High School in 1936. She and her husband lived most of their married life in Geneva on Butcher Street. She was a loving, caring wife, mother, and grandmother who often put others before herself, balancing family life and working outside the home. She first worked as a seamstress at the Winter House (Berne Manufacturing Company). As a competent bookkeeper with beautiful handwriting, she then worked for the Adams County Farm Bureau Co-op Credit Union (original secretary/treasurer), Gilliom Lumber, Berne Furniture Company and First Mennonite Church.
She was an avid gardener, enjoyed fishing, and her meticulously-crafted rolls and pies were the delights of family gatherings.  She loved music and enjoyed participating in the Harmony Ten singing group and church choir.  She was a talented pianist and accompanied her husband when he sang solos or led singing at the First Mennonite Church where they were members. She was also an avid game player and competitor who enjoyed Rook, Euchre, Dominoes and endless games of Rummikub with family and friends.
She is survived by two daughters, Marilyn (Ray) Houser Hamm of Altona, Manitoba, Canada; and Judy (Bob) Stauffer of Harlan; five grandchildren, Nate (Becca) Stauffer of Harlan; Ryan (Katie) Stauffer of Fort Wayne; Matt (Lori Dezall) Hamm of Sanford, Manitoba, Canada; Kim Hamm of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Kirsten (Ian) Hamm Epp of Waldheim, Saskatchewan, Canada; and eight great-grandchildren, Kade and Lila Stauffer; Brandon, Kayla and Jacob Stauffer; Morgan Hamm; and Peter and Carter Epp.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1986; her daughter, Gloria Jean in 1955; brother, Vernon Sommer in 1994; three sisters, Ida Huser in 2006, Esther Biberstein in 2016, Lillian Burton in 1997; and half-brothers, Robert in 1983 and Harvey Lehman in 2001.
Visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at the Swiss Village Chapel and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service Friday, Jan. 12 at First Mennonite Church in Berne. Pastor Jeff Linthicum and Pastor Ray Hamm will officiate.  The service will be live-streamed and can be accessed at www.firstmennonite.org.
A private family burial service will take place at MRE Cemetery following the fellowship meal.
Memorials may be made to  First Mennonite Church Disaster Relief or Swiss Village Samaritan Fund.
Arrangements provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel in Berne. To sign the online guest book, visit www.zwickjahn.com.