Grazina M. Sommer

Grazina M. Sommer, age 86, of Bradley, passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. She was born May 17, 1936 in Kretinga, Lithuania, the daughter of Antanas & Ona Cergelyte Kupckevicius. Her and her family became displaced persons (DP’s) when they fled Lithuania ahead of the Advancing Soviet Red Army in 1944 during WWII. They lived in a British DP Refugee Camp in Germany from the Late 1944 until they migrated to the USA, arriving at Ellis Island, New York after nearly a two-week voyage by ship. She later was naturalized a USA citizen and was extremely proud of her American citizenship. Grazina was a graduate of St. Joseph Seminary and Kankakee Community College Nursing Program. She worked many years in the nursing profession. Grazina married Charles Sommer on June 29, 1957 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Kankakee. She loved and greatly enjoyed her grandchildren and was their #1 fan in sporting events. Grazina also loved her cats, including most recently, Coco. She enjoyed traveling and gardening. She was a devout Catholic and was proud of her Lithuanian heritage. Surviving are her husband, Charles Sommer of Bradley; one son, Don Sommer of Bourbonnais; one daughter-in-law, Pam Sommer of Bourbonnais; two daughters, Diane (Steve) Schafroth of Kankakee and Joanne (Eric) Woodard of Philo; one brother, Kazys (Jeanne) Kupcikevicius of Bradley; seven grandchildren, Justin (Ashley) Sommer, Holly (Aaron) Knupp, Brianne Schafroth, Scott (Katie) Woodard, Austin Woodard, Cameron Woodard, Erica Woodard; three great-grandchildren, Charlie Rae and Bear Knupp, and Jack Sommer; niece, Lara Plecas; nephew, Nicholas Kupikevicius; brother-in-law, Donald (Sharon) Sommer of Missouri; and her extended family in Lithuania. Grazina is preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter, Jodi Lynn Sommer; one brother, Algis Kupcikevicius; one sister-in-law, Janet Kupcikevicius; and one nephew, Danulis Kupcikevicius. Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. Rev. Marcin Michalak will celebrate the Mass. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Kankakee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley.

Grazina M. Sommer

May 17, 1936 - October 19, 2022