February 13, 1916 - April 23, 2013
Lyla Carnine Anderson ( nee Sommars ), died on April 23, 2013 at Presbyterian Homes, Bloomington aged 97. Lyla was born on Feb. 13, 1916, on the second floor of the Northern Pacific Railway depot in Mercer, ND, where her parents had their first home. Her father was Frederick Amos Sommars, born in Nashua, IA. Her mother was Ottelia "Tillie" Sommars, nee Sackmann, born in Java, SD. Lyla's earlier forebears included German-speaking immigrants from Bessarabia ( now Moldova ), then part of the Russian Empire. Mr. Sommars was station agent for the NP in Mercer and later in Carrington and Jamestown, ND.
Lyla was the second child. Her brother, Also Frederick Sommars, was born in 1914. A second brother, Robert, was born in 1921. She had three sisters, Lorayne, Lois and Lola, born in 1920, 1925 and 1932, respectively.
Lyla graduated from high school in Carrington, ND, and attended Jamestown College, Jamestown, ND. In the late 1930's, she met Gerhard "Gary" Ferdinand Anderson from Colton, SD. Lyla and Gary were married on Jan. 6, 1938, in Missoula, MT, and were blessed with a long, loving relationship. Their first child, Karen Miriam, was born in 1940 in Forsyth, MT. Their second child, Paula Eileen, was born in 1943 in Forsyth. In 1945 they moved to Minneapolis, where Gary worked for Honeywell, Inc. as an electrical engineer. Their third child, Steven Charles, was born in 1947, in Minneapolis.
Lyla and Gary were longtime members of Knox Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis. Lyla's beloved husband, Gerhard, preceded her in death in 1985, aged 72.
Lyla was among the first residents of Gideon Pond retirement center, operated by Presbyterian Homes in Bloomington. Her children visited her there many times.
She is survived by daughter, Karen Inglis and son-in-law, Robert Inglis, Greeley, CO; daughter, Paul Ehlers and son-in-law, Randy Ehlers, Sunnyvale, CA; and son Steven Anderson, Boise, ID; by two sisters, Lorayne Bartsh, Bloomington, and Lola Roeglin, Burnsville; by loving nieces and nephews and by 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Knox Church or Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington.
A relative, Joy Roeglin wrote:”Lyla was called home by Jesus on April 23, 2013. She and her beloved husband, Gerhard, who preceded her to heaven, were active members of Knox Presbyterian Church, Mpls, and held Bible studies in their home and church. They were parents of 3 beloved children, Karen ( Rev. Robert ) Inglis, Greeley, CO; Paula (Randall ) Ehlers, Sunnyvale, CA and Steven Anderson, Boise ID. Lyla is survived by 2 loving sisters, Lorayne Bartsh, of Presbyterian Homes, and Lola (Edward ) Roeglin, Burnsville, MN, plus many greatly loved grandchildren and nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Presbyterian Homes, 9889 Penn Ave S, Bloomington, Friday, May 10, at 2:00 PM, followed by a reception and lunch. No flowers, please. Memorials to Knox Church. Please come and celebrate our beloved Lyla, who served Jesus all her life by serving others. Deep appreciation to the precious staff at Presbyterian Homes and to her dear caregivers, David and Tianyi.”