Cleopha Freida-Marie Howard

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 R-V 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, Solomon, Samson and Silas Baker; and sister-in-law, Marylynn Sommerer. 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, Ralph Sommerer and Louis Vetter; sisters-in-law, Alma Sommerer, Florence 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. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Calvary Lutheran High School. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 (573) 636-3838. C Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.