The Wayne and Susie Sommers Scholarship Fund

Susie (Keim) Sommers was born in 1922 and grew up on a farm in a Christian home in Miami County, Indiana. She attended Miami School through the eighth grade and then Clay Township High School, graduating as valedictorian of her class. Susie wished she could attend college but did not because of the financial constraints of her family.

She met her husband, Wayne Sommers, at her church where he also attended. They were also in the same high school together. After they married, they moved to northern Indiana to farm in 1948. They were active at Marion Mennonite Church. When the toll road was built through their farm, they decided to sell the land and bought a farm southwest of Goshen. Wawasee Lakeside Chapel was just forming so they began attending, initially for a summer for Susie to fill in as Sunday school teacher, but ended up staying for 14 years. Later they were part of Waterford Mennonite Church where Susie also taught Sunday school. They then followed a call to help with the start of Warsaw Mennonite Church where they attended for 12 years, teaching Sunday school together.

Susie was an excellent seamstress, sewing clothes for her and their children. She also enjoyed quilting, making many quilts for the MCC Relief Sale as well as one for each grandchild as they married. Susie taught herself to play the piano. She also enjoyed singing, and sang alto in quartets.

Given Susie’s Christian faith and commitment, her love for teaching within the church, as well as her unfulfilled desire for a college education, it is fitting that she should be honored through a scholarship to help Bible and Religion, and/or Youth Ministries students with financial need.