Obituary for Donna Marlene Sommer
DONNA MARLENE (KEMP) SOMMER
Born August 18, 1932 in Long Beach, the fifth of six children, to Lecil and Etta Kemp. The family
moved to Bakersfield in 1936 where Donna attended Standard School and Bakersfield High
School. From a very early age Donna showed a great love of family helping care for nephews
and nieces when ever needed. This even took her to West Virginia during her final year of high
school to help her sister Viola.
Donna married her love and partner in all things Milton Sommer on their shared birthday in
1956. Throughout their life together Donna was always ready for the next adventure. Be it
camping, hunting, fishing, sailing, traveling or doing a home renovation she was right there.
Milton joined the KCFD in 1959 and Donna became a strong and independent fireman’s wife.
When their kids came along, Ricky in 1958 and Terri in 1963 they never slowed down they just
continued the adventures with kids in tow. Donna was a very hands on mom and active in
Community Club and PTA. She also managed properties she and Milton owned and also their
Maintenance business. Donna was also active for many years in the KCFD’s Ladies Auxiliary.
Throughout her life Family was always Donna’s top priority and if you were a friend of Donna’s
you were family and she would do anything she could for you. Her door was always open and
hugs were always available. This included taking in then caring for her mother in her elder
years. She was also the kind of mom that any of her kids friends could depend on if they
needed anything.
In 1982, thanks to her son Rick and wife Debbie, the true light of Donna’s life came along in the
form of her Granddaughter Jenny. Any chance she had she and Jenny were off and running.
Retirement found Donna and Milton hitting the road in the motorhome traveling up and down the
west coast, several trips to Colorado, a few trips from coast to coast, Mexico and two trips to
Alaska, visiting friends and family along the way. On a return trip from Alaska they were visiting
Donna’s brother in the Dalles Oregon and on a whim bought a 100 year old fixer upper and
made it beautiful. They stayed for several years then decided to look for a warmer climate
settling next in Bullhead City AZ.
In 1991 the family grew again with daughter Terri’s marriage to Richard, with this also added an
adult granddaughter Suzanne and later great granddaughter Arianna. Then again with
Granddaughter Jenny’s marriage to David and then the births of their two, Great Grandson Ben
and Great Granddaughter Kaylynn, and oh how Donna loved those babies.
Donna and Milton moved to Oxnard Ca in 2004 to be closer to Terri. Donna lost the love of her
life in 2005. and has maintained a home in Oxnard since but never lost the desire to travel or
love of visits by family and friends. She continued to make trips to see family all over the
country and was still always ready to go when ever she could.
We know as a family that Donna would like friends and family to know just how special you were
to her and that your love and friendship made her life rich and beautiful beyond measure.
Born August 18, 1932 in Long Beach, the fifth of six children, to Lecil and Etta Kemp. The family
moved to Bakersfield in 1936 where Donna attended Standard School and Bakersfield High
School. From a very early age Donna showed a great love of family helping care for nephews
and nieces when ever needed. This even took her to West Virginia during her final year of high
school to help her sister Viola.
Donna married her love and partner in all things Milton Sommer on their shared birthday in
1956. Throughout their life together Donna was always ready for the next adventure. Be it
camping, hunting, fishing, sailing, traveling or doing a home renovation she was right there.
Milton joined the KCFD in 1959 and Donna became a strong and independent fireman’s wife.
When their kids came along, Ricky in 1958 and Terri in 1963 they never slowed down they just
continued the adventures with kids in tow. Donna was a very hands on mom and active in
Community Club and PTA. She also managed properties she and Milton owned and also their
Maintenance business. Donna was also active for many years in the KCFD’s Ladies Auxiliary.
Throughout her life Family was always Donna’s top priority and if you were a friend of Donna’s
you were family and she would do anything she could for you. Her door was always open and
hugs were always available. This included taking in then caring for her mother in her elder
years. She was also the kind of mom that any of her kids friends could depend on if they
needed anything.
In 1982, thanks to her son Rick and wife Debbie, the true light of Donna’s life came along in the
form of her Granddaughter Jenny. Any chance she had she and Jenny were off and running.
Retirement found Donna and Milton hitting the road in the motorhome traveling up and down the
west coast, several trips to Colorado, a few trips from coast to coast, Mexico and two trips to
Alaska, visiting friends and family along the way. On a return trip from Alaska they were visiting
Donna’s brother in the Dalles Oregon and on a whim bought a 100 year old fixer upper and
made it beautiful. They stayed for several years then decided to look for a warmer climate
settling next in Bullhead City AZ.
In 1991 the family grew again with daughter Terri’s marriage to Richard, with this also added an
adult granddaughter Suzanne and later great granddaughter Arianna. Then again with
Granddaughter Jenny’s marriage to David and then the births of their two, Great Grandson Ben
and Great Granddaughter Kaylynn, and oh how Donna loved those babies.
Donna and Milton moved to Oxnard Ca in 2004 to be closer to Terri. Donna lost the love of her
life in 2005. and has maintained a home in Oxnard since but never lost the desire to travel or
love of visits by family and friends. She continued to make trips to see family all over the
country and was still always ready to go when ever she could.
We know as a family that Donna would like friends and family to know just how special you were
to her and that your love and friendship made her life rich and beautiful beyond measure.