1916
Martha
2013
Martha Summer
January 2, 1916 — December 10, 2013
Martha Mary Summer, 97, departed on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Center in Battle Lake, but her heart never left Chokio.
Born January 2, 1916, to John and Annie (Leuthard) Grossman, Martha was the fourth of eight children. After graduating from Chokio High School in 1933, Martha attended beauty school in Fargo and got her experience working in Ortonville before opening Martha's Beauty Shop in Clinton in 1936. Never one to tolerate the depression of the 30's, she helped support her siblings at home while taking cross-country trips to New York and California with her girlfriends.
Martha and Lester Joseph Summer were married October 13, 1941, and settled on a farm north of Chokio. Six years later, they bought a farm four miles west of Chokio where they raised crops, cattle and kids through 1975. Five grew up. Five moved out, so Martha and Les moved on—this time to explore life in town and well beyond. Martha's love of family couldn't put the brakes on her passion for travel. In their 50 years together, she and Les ran off to Alaska, Colorado, California, Florida, New Zealand, the East Coast, Hawaii, as well as a Caribbean cruise.
After Les passed away, Martha stayed in her Chokio home for several years. The last leg of her epic journey brought her to Battle Lake Senior Living in 2009, and finally the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center in August 2011. Always caring and optimistic, Martha made the best of each move.
Martha was active in her community and her church. She golfed, played bridge, and was on a bowling league at the age of 85. Creative sewing and needle work filled many hours.
Martha is survived by children, Sharon Vipond, Battle Lake; Wayne (Kathy) Summer, Alexandria; Ann (Robert) Hostler, Anacortes, WA; Rebecca (Richard) Summer, Silver City, NM; Sally (John) Summer-Mellang, Lutsen; seven grandchildren: John (Michelle) Vipond, Bloomington; Scott (Sara) Vipond, White Bear Lake; Sara Ann (Martin) Vipond, St Louis Park; Martina Mellang, Lacross, WI; Micah (Tiffany) Mellang, Maple Grove; Joshua (Jessica) Summer, Dillworth; Ben (Brianna) Summer, Morris; six great-grandchildren: Ethan and Jack Vipond, Luke and Isabelle Vipond, Oliver and Hugo Petterssen; sisters, Marie Grossman and Agatha Grossman both of St Paul; sisters-in-law: Marie Grossman of Chokio and Thelma Marthaler of Sauk Centre; numerous relatives and friends.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, John and Annie Grossman; her husband, Les, October 27, 2000; and 3 grandchildren: Stacy and Charles Vipond and Zachary Summer-Mellang and son-in-law Robert Vipond.
Mass of Christian Burial: 12 noon at Friday, December 13th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chokio, Minnesota
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Fr. Joe Vandeberg
Cemetery: St. Mary's Cemetery, Chokio
Born January 2, 1916, to John and Annie (Leuthard) Grossman, Martha was the fourth of eight children. After graduating from Chokio High School in 1933, Martha attended beauty school in Fargo and got her experience working in Ortonville before opening Martha's Beauty Shop in Clinton in 1936. Never one to tolerate the depression of the 30's, she helped support her siblings at home while taking cross-country trips to New York and California with her girlfriends.
Martha and Lester Joseph Summer were married October 13, 1941, and settled on a farm north of Chokio. Six years later, they bought a farm four miles west of Chokio where they raised crops, cattle and kids through 1975. Five grew up. Five moved out, so Martha and Les moved on—this time to explore life in town and well beyond. Martha's love of family couldn't put the brakes on her passion for travel. In their 50 years together, she and Les ran off to Alaska, Colorado, California, Florida, New Zealand, the East Coast, Hawaii, as well as a Caribbean cruise.
After Les passed away, Martha stayed in her Chokio home for several years. The last leg of her epic journey brought her to Battle Lake Senior Living in 2009, and finally the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center in August 2011. Always caring and optimistic, Martha made the best of each move.
Martha was active in her community and her church. She golfed, played bridge, and was on a bowling league at the age of 85. Creative sewing and needle work filled many hours.
Martha is survived by children, Sharon Vipond, Battle Lake; Wayne (Kathy) Summer, Alexandria; Ann (Robert) Hostler, Anacortes, WA; Rebecca (Richard) Summer, Silver City, NM; Sally (John) Summer-Mellang, Lutsen; seven grandchildren: John (Michelle) Vipond, Bloomington; Scott (Sara) Vipond, White Bear Lake; Sara Ann (Martin) Vipond, St Louis Park; Martina Mellang, Lacross, WI; Micah (Tiffany) Mellang, Maple Grove; Joshua (Jessica) Summer, Dillworth; Ben (Brianna) Summer, Morris; six great-grandchildren: Ethan and Jack Vipond, Luke and Isabelle Vipond, Oliver and Hugo Petterssen; sisters, Marie Grossman and Agatha Grossman both of St Paul; sisters-in-law: Marie Grossman of Chokio and Thelma Marthaler of Sauk Centre; numerous relatives and friends.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, John and Annie Grossman; her husband, Les, October 27, 2000; and 3 grandchildren: Stacy and Charles Vipond and Zachary Summer-Mellang and son-in-law Robert Vipond.
Mass of Christian Burial: 12 noon at Friday, December 13th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chokio, Minnesota
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Fr. Joe Vandeberg
Cemetery: St. Mary's Cemetery, Chokio
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