Joe E. Summerson

Joe Eugene Summerson, son of Joseph Morris Summerson and June Maxine Repp Summerson, was born June 15, 1928 at his parents' home near Dawson and died September 28, 2005 at the Dallas County Hospital in Perry, at the age of 77 years, 3 months, and 13 days. Gene, as he was lovingly known, graduated from Dawson Consolidated School. He was united in marriage with Zola Van Cleave on January 23, 1949 in Bayard. They were parents of two daughters Kathy and Nancy. Gene and Zola farmed south of Dawson. He enjoyed his career of farming where he could observe nature in its fullest. Gene loved and enjoyed his family and also enjoyed reading, traveling, and woodworking. Gene was a member of Dawson United Methodist Church, Rotary Club, and was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge. He had served as a township trustee and also served on the Dawson and Perry School Boards. Gene was preceded in death by his parents Joe and June Summerson. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Zola; his two daughters: Kathy Book and her husband Mike of Waverly, Iowa and Nancy Pape and her husband Lee of Perry, Iowa; 4 grandchildren: Ann Lehnhoff and her husband Jeremy of Grand Junction, Iowa; Erik Book of San Marcos, Texas; Courtney Book of Des Moines, Iowa; and Cody Laird of Perry, Iowa. Gene is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren: Samantha, Joseph, Kaylie, and Marisa Lehnhoff and his brother John Summerson and his wife Dorothy of Perry, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.