This month of February 2020 we’d like to introduce another of our residents, Dolores Sommers. Dolores was born on the Winegar (as in vinegar) family farm in Otisco Township in August of 1922. She went to District 41 Country School for a while until her family moved to St. Mary’s Township. She finished the 8th grade there, then helped on the
farm along with her 2 brothers. When she was 16, she took a job at Waseca Canning Co. doing seasonal work. At 28 Dolores married her childhood neighbor, Marvin Sommers. They took over his parents’ farm and that is where they raised their 2 boys and 2 girls. She kept her seasonal job at what became Birdseye and took the evening shift “so the kids would be forced to learn to cook!”

Around 1989 they moved from the farm to Waseca proper. She worked for Winegar’s Tool and Dye for 10 years, then part time at the Senior Center doing work for Itron and delivering Meals on Wheels.

Over the years, Dolores spent a lot of evenings dancing at local halls, gardening, canning, sewing, selling their fresh eggs locally, and participating in the local Extension Club. She kept active throughout her life, but about a year ago she started feeling her age. Her kids thought it was too much for her handle to take care of her house alone and they decided to move her to Colony Court. “I always heard good things about Colony Court. It feels like home because it’s decorated with things from the house. And the food is good.”

We are sure glad you joined our family, Dolores. It’s a bit homier with you here too!