Caecilie W. Sommerfeld

Caecilie/Cilly? Sommerfeld, 80 of New Buffalo, formerly of Benton Harbor, went home to be with her Lord & Savior, Thursday, May 06, 2004, at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 13, at Kerley- Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may call from 5-8 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Christian Unity Press, York, Nebraska. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Mrs. Sommerfeld was born February 14, 1924 in Germany to Karl & Anna (Strahtmann) Botterbusch. On June 14, 1946, she married Otto Sommerfeld in Germany. The family came to America from Germany in 1954. They settled in Detroit, moved to Hamilton, Canada for several years; lived in Benton Harbor for 11 years; York, Nebraska for 20 years; and for the past 8 years, Caecilie and Otto have lived with their son Ralph in New Buffalo. Caecilie?s husband pastored several German Church of God Congregations and she faithfully stood by his side. In March of 1979, an auto accident left her paralyzed, bed and wheelchair bound and always in pain, but she rarely complained. She patiently carried her burden for 25 years, and now is with her Beloved Savior. She lovingly cared for her family and her church family. Caecilie lived her life according to the scriptures found in Proverbs 31: 10-13. “She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day?s work. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her. There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all. A woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” Reward her for all she has done. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. Cilly is survived by her husband Otto; two sons-Juergen (Patty) Sommerfeld of Chesterfield Township, MI; Ralph (Heidi) Sommerfeld of New Buffalo, MI; three grandchildren-Stephan (Shannon) Sommerfeld of East Point, MI; Daniel (Chrstyn) Sommerfeld of St. Clair Shores, MI; Aaron Sommerfeld of New Buffalo, MI; one great-granddaughter-Holly Sommerfeld; two sisters-Elsa (Manfred) Tiemann & Ursula Muehlenweg, both of Germany. She was preceded in death by her brother-Willi Botterbush and her sister Elfrieda Fiebig.