Cleopha “Cleo” Freida-Marie Howard, 87, of Jefferson City, Missouri passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022. She was born on March 15, 1935 in Schubert, Missouri, a daughter of the late Adolph and Theresa (Erhardt) Sommerer.
She was a 1953 graduate of Cole V R-I High School in Eugene. Cleo went on to attend Lincoln University. She worked for Capital City Telephone as an operator for over 30 years, earning her gold pin upon retirement. Cleo enjoyed growing flowers and tomatoes in her garden. She loved to sing and was a member of the Faith Lutheran church choir and the Sweet Adeline’s for many years. Most of all she loved her family and making memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
Cleo is survived by her daughter, Julie Baker; siblings, Vernon Sommerer, Theresa Loyola Sommerer and Lloyd Sommerer (Jane); grandchildren, Scott Baker (Som), Shawn Baker (Jeromy Layman) and Sarah Jones (Ryan); great-grandchildren, Matthew, Adam and Jonathan Jones, Soloman, Samson and Silas Baker. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Greer Baker; siblings, Elizabeth Williams, Lillian Kuegule, Erhardt “Bud” Sommerer, Felix Sommerer, Marjorie Beck, Anna Beatrice Putnam, Mahlon Sommerer and Naomi Vetter; brothers-in-law, Justin Williams, Ted Kuegule, Edgar Beck, Fred Putnam and Louis Vetter; sisters-in-law, Alma Sommerer and Carol Sommerer.
Friends will be received on Friday, October 7, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors. Funeral service will be on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church with a one-hour visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. prior to service.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Calvary Lutheran High School.