Duane SOMMERS

11/15/1932 - 08/26/2015

SOMMERS, Duane Duane Sommers, a Spokane native, died peacefully at home August 26, 2015, after a series of strokes which started in early August. He was born at home, November 15, 1932 to Carl and Vivian Sommers. He is survived by his wife of three years, Ellen; his four children, Donna Rooper (Malcolm), Linda Kauffman (Larry), Steven (Kim), David (Laura);10 grandchildren, John Rooper (Claire), Laura Robinson (Thomas), Larry III and Monique Kauffman, Josh, Seth, Rachel, Alexandra, Isaac and Olivia Sommers. He was preceded in death by Mae, his wife of 55 years, his sister Verniece Kubes and her husband George. Duane graduated from Lindbergh High School in 1950, where he was student body president. He graduated from WSU in 1955 with a BS degree in bacteriology. At WSU Duane was in ROTC. He was commissioned as an officer after graduation and training in Georgia. He spent 18 months in Korea. After active duty he remained in the Army Reserves, eventually reaching the rank of Lt. Colonel. In 1963 he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master of Public Health degree which led to a job in Olympia with the State Health Department, where he worked until 1977. He moved back to Spokane as the director of a health systems agency. He retired at age 50 from state government and became interested in politics, to the point of running for the office of State Representative of Spokane's 6th district. Duane was passionate about helping his constituents and served a total of 14 years, from 1986 to 2000. In 2002 he was elected as Spokane County Assessor and resigned in 2004 to care for Mae, who had Alzheimer's Disease. After Mae died, Duane experienced two years of loneliness until he met Ellen. Duane said "Ellen was the miracle that came into my life." In the three years of their marriage they traveled widely with trips to Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska. She was by his side at the end. Together they shared a strong Christian faith. Duane came to his faith as a young child. His mother was ordained as a minister by Aimee Semple McPherson, the famous tent-meeting evangelist. Duane had the gift of gab. Encountering a stranger was, for him, an opportunity to explore unknown territory. Duane relished the spoken word; a well turned phrase would frequently cause him to tear up, or give him a catch in his voice when he retold it. Words people used to describe him are integrity, honesty, gentlemanly, opinionated, mentor to many, handsome, generous, strong leader. A favorite life verse of Duane's was Romans 8:28: We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. A memorial celebration of Duane's life will be Saturday, September 12, 2015, 2:00 PM at Fourth Memorial Church, 2000 N. Standard St., Spokane, Washington 99207. His inurnment will be at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Gospel Mission Ministries at 1224 E. Trent Ave., Spokane, WA 99202 or to Hospice of Spokane at P.O. Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210.