Bert Albert Summers, a farmer, member of U.S. Navy, devoted husband, father, and grandfather passed away at age 99, in Sharon Springs, Kansas, on March 11th, 2024.
Bert was born July 2,1924, on a farmstead north of Gove, Kansas and was one of seven children born to Admire Judson and Leatha (Turley) Summers.Bert and older brother Dan rode their bikes or walked to Jumbo Country School north of Gove until the 8th grade. He later graduated from Gove High School in 1942.
In 1944 Bert was drafted into the U.S. Navy and attended basic training in Great Lakes/Green Bay Naval Center north of Chicago. He was later deployed to San Diego for amphibious training then to Hawaii for training on invasion of Iwo Jimo and Okinawa.
Bert was assigned to the USS Lubbock and part of his duty was to assist in taking troops and supplies to the island and haul injured back to ship. Bert was on the ship and able to watch as the troops raised the flag on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. The plaques/statues of Iwo Jima have always held a very special place in Bert's heart as he lived through those difficult days of war. Bert also had a personal loss of his brother Dan who was killed in action while serving as a medic in Germany on Feb.25th, 1945.
Bert was discharged from the Navy on May 23, 1946, and he returned home to take over the farm in west Logan County. On June 15th, 1947, he was united in marriage to Wanda Ida Hays. They were married for 63 years until Wanda passed away on November 24, 2010. Bert and Wanda lived on the Logan County farm from 1947-1993. They were blessed with three children-one son Larry, and two daughters Marietta and Shirley. Together Bert and Wanda worked very hard for many years to build the farm that they were both very proud of. They retired from farming and moved to Oakley, Kansas in 1993. Bert later moved to the Village in Sharon Springs, Kansas in 2017.Bert served on the Winona School Board, was a member of the Methodist Church, served on the Federal Land Bank Board, ASCS Board and on the board of The Bank for many years. Bert was an active member of the communities in Logan and Wallace County where he has many friends and associates.
Bert was a loving and generous man who was always ready to help his family and lend a helping hand to friends. He had a passion for farming, his family, playing cards with friends, traveling, and occasionally a trip to the casinos.
Bert will be greatly missed by his loved ones and is survived by children, Larry Summers, of Wallace, KS, Marietta Wright, of Wallace and Shirley and Eugene Lindemoen, of Kansas City; grandchildren, Lisa (J.D.) Mitten, Darrin (Debbie) Summers, Chad (Jodie) Wright, Derek (Brynne) Wright and Travis (Lindsey) Lindemoen; 13 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.Bert will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends for many years to come.
Quote from Bert’s Note Pad: “I have seen dirt storms in the 30’s, the drought in the 50’s and 80’s to current drought. I went from horse and buggy days to jet days. Many wonderful days and many sad days as we lost our loved ones. All in all, a WONDERFUL LIFE and family. God Bless this Great Country we live in!”
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral Service is 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Oakley United Methodist Church with burial in the Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either the Oakley or Winona United Methodist Church and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com