Janet Ann Sommer's Obituary
SOMMER, JANET ANN PRUETZ Janet was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to German immigrants (William and Anna Pruetz.) She had a wholesome, old fashioned upbringing with her loving parents and brother Carl Pruetz. At 19, she married Nick Sommer and gave birth to her first child Cheryl Shott, followed by son David Sommer and daughter Julie Piatas. At a time when divorce was rare Janet left the marriage after seven years and very courageously moved on with her three small children. With little and often times no financial support she held multiple jobs to support her single mother household. With the help of her wonderful parents, Jan continued to strive in a then very “man’s world.” In another very brave act, she left Wisconsin for what she believed would be a better life in south Florida. At that time she was a Reservation Agent for Northwest Airlines, who provided help in the move. Her parents followed shortly after and were reunited with brother Carl in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her circle of immediate family was all together again and nothing was more important to her. Jan then followed her dream and attended Interior Design classes. She would go on to be employed by some of the finest furniture stores in south Florida. And in yet another personal accomplishment she branched out and started her own Interior Decorating business, satisfying one client after another. As if this success wasn’t enough, her determination led her to open her very own furniture store called “Rooms & More” in Boynton Beach, FL. All of Janet’s accomplishments and success could not avoid what would soon follow. She had already felt the loss of her dear dad Willy and would be diagnosed with macular degeneration leaving her legally blind and eventually forcing her to retire at an early age. Then the tragic death of her first born, Cheryl at 44 years of age. Cheryl left behind two beautiful young children, Aric and Kristen Shott. Janet (Nana) stepped in for many years before and after her daughters death and at times with nothing more than disability support and the help of her son David raising them against all odds until their father, son-in-law Richard Shott would eventually gain custody. At about the same time she started experiencing horrendous pain with her spine which led to two failed surgeries which would forever disable her. Then the death of her beloved mother Anna. Jan’s daughter Julie and son-in-law Richard Piatas had moved to Dallas, Texas. She moved to Dallas 11 years later to reunite in 2006, after 37 years in Florida but only under the condition that her son David would follow. Julie and Richard had two beautiful twins in 2001, Roman and Noelle Piatas and she (Nana) was delighted that she would now be part of their young lives on a regular basis. Janet’s life was one of many accomplishments, love, friendship, fun, laughter, highs, lows, growth, and a close personal walk with her Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus. I have heard God welcoming Janet to her new home and loudly proclaiming “Well done my daughter, well done!” Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, September 13, 2013 at Restland Wildwood Chapel with visitation prior to the service starting at 9:30 AM, in the chapel.
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