Phillip Sommers

Phillip B. Sommers, age 50, of New London, passed away on Saturday, October 31, at his home in New London.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, at Calvary Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Calvary Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Memorials may be given to Rice Hospice, Willmar, MN.

Phillip Brian Sommers was born to Chet and Sharon (Skramstad) Sommers on April 14, 1965, in Willmar, MN. He spent his childhood in Willmar, and graduated from Willmar High School in 1983. He was baptized at Bethel Lutheran Church and confirmed at Vinje Lutheran Church. In 1990, he was united in marriage to Brenda Anderson. They spent their entire married life, 25 years, in the New London- Spicer area, living in their current home in New London for the past 15 years.

Phillip attended Ridgewater College in Willmar and had been employed at Lake Country Resources since December, 1992. There he was well known for his exquisite art skills in painting fish replicas and his excellent carpentry skills.

Phillip's first passion was his family, his second was fishing! Any time of the year, on any body of water, but most particularly on Lake Of The Woods. This is where the family cabin was established in 1965. Most of his childhood summers were spent at the cabin. As he grew into adulthood, there was always time reserved for family at the cabin. Even as Phil & Brenda's family grew, their children were given the tradition of summer vacations at the cabin and were taught the finer skills of fishing. The tradition will live on. He gave his family such a great love of the outdoors, fishing, hunting and trapping. Phil and Brenda's first grandchild was born in November, 2014. Barrett, or "Bear" as they call him, is the son of Matthew & Ashley Sommers and was the apple of Phil's eye!

Phillip was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer on November 26, 2014. Phil, with Brenda by his side, fought hard through two brain surgeries, two gamma knife procedures, numerous chemo and immunotherapy sessions, and many radiation treatments. The cancer took his body, but not his spirit. He came to faith in Christ in November, 2014, and stayed strong in that faith until the end, dying peacefully with Brenda by his side. They would enjoy reading scripture. One of Phil's favorites was, Psalm 91:4, "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

Phillip is survived by his wife, Brenda; son, Matthew (and Ashley Glimsdahl) Sommers of Atwater; grandson, Barrett Nyland of Atwater; daughter, Kristine (and Justin) Liebl of Kerkhoven; son, Jeramiah Sommers of Sunburg; son, Mitchell Sommers of New London; parents, Chet and Sharon Sommers of Willmar; brother, Mark (and Lynette) Sommers of Willmar; sister, Stephanie (and Doug) Fornfeist of Temple TX.; along with nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, many extended family and numerous friends.

Phillip was preceded in death by his grandparents.

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