Jean Josephine Gilmore-Sommer

Jean Josephine Gilmore Sommer, age 83, was called home by our Lord on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009. She was born June 8, 1926, in Strathmore, Alberta, Canada, to Agnes Landsborough (Blaney) Gilmore and Roy Esmond Gilmore. Jean grew up in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. She graduated from John Oliver High School at age 16. She served in the Royal Canadian Air Force-Women's Division for two years and worked for Boeing Aircraft for 1½ years before marrying Elmer J. Sommer on Sept. 1, 1945. Jean and Elmer met at a dance at the CSO Club on a Saturday night in May of 1945. It was love at first sight. Upon Elmer's discharge from the Navy at the end of the war, they rode his Harley to Twin Falls to begin farming with the family. Soon followed six children, John, Jim, Dave, Edward (deceased), Shirley and Sandra. Jean devoted her life to her family and the family farm. She was always cooking, baking and helping out wherever needed, including driving tractors and harvest trucks. In 1965, Jean returned to school to begin the nurse's training program at the College of Southern Idaho. She was in the first class to graduate from CSI in 1966. She worked for many years at the Twin Falls Clinic and Magic Valley Regional Medical Center. During the past several years, she volunteered at MVRMC as a pink lady. Jean and Elmer loved to travel and had driven all over the United States, ferried through the Inland Passage, visited Israel, Africa, Panama, Chille, Great Britain, France, Holland, Switzerland and took a freighter trip from Chicago to Yugoslavia (one of their most memorable experiences.) Jean traveled to Italy with friends in September of 2004. She was always up for an adventure! Jean's husband, Elmer; a son, Edward; and a granddaughter, April, preceded her in death. Survivors include John (Arlene), Jim (Doris) and Dave (Judy), all of Twin Falls, Shirley (Dennis) Lamun of Hazelton, Sandee (Daniel) Drake of San Diego, Calif., and Jerry (Judy) Weller of Boise. Arrangements are under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home. Friends may call from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls. At 5 p.m., friends will have the opportunity to share stories and special memories of their time spent with Jean. Pastor Jim Sommer will give the prayer. There will also be a celebration of Jean's life at 2 p.m. Dec. 26 at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls for family and close friends. The family wishes to thank the staff of Visions of Home Hospice for the wonderful care given to our mom. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visions of Home Hospice through Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home.