Leo Sommer

August 23, 1930 — December 13, 2025

Leo was born in 1930, during the Great Depression, to Swiss immigrants Dr. Casper, DVM and Monica (Frei) Sommer, living in Wendell, ID, and was the fourth of nine children. The family moved to Cottonwood where there were other Swiss family members and then to Meridian in 1937, where there were dairy cows needing a veterinarian.

The family then started a farming operation that was hand-milking Jersey cows. Leo learned to harness a team of horses at six-years-old and advanced to growing hay and grain for their herd. He later worked for neighboring dairymen doing the same work.

In 1949, Leo joined the Air Force and was stationed in Japan (1950), then sent to support the Korean War. He was trained as a mechanic for the new Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star jet that the Air Force would rely on to start Korean air battles. He also worked on tanks and drove trucks; using a wide range of skills he learned on the farm and would successfully use for the rest of his life. He acquired several military honors and the rank of Staff Sergeant during his time in the service.

He returned to Idaho in 1952 and worked for local dairymen. In 1954, he joined I.O.N. (Idaho, Oregon, Nevada) Cattle Company, led by Dean Abrahms, a prominent cattle buyer. During his years at I.O.N., Leo met and married Betty Pollard. The I.O.N Cattle company ended operation in 1984.

In 1986, Leo met John Ascuaga, owner of John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino in Sparks, NV, and developed a wonderful personal relationship with John and his significant livestock operation. For the next 28 years he managed four ranches, including a cow-calf operation, haying operation, a feedlot, pure-bred Herefords, an annual cattle drive between Smith Valley, NV and Bridgeport, CA ranches, and helped care for Bertha, the elephant who was an icon of the casino.  

Smith Valley brought Leo many friends and a wonderful life in the agricultural industry with the ability to utilize all of his skills and knowledge. He was a great leader of the men he managed and a leader in the beef industry.

Leo is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty Sommer; sisters Chris Klotz, Rita Elliott, Dorthy Giffen; children, Tim (Tamara) Sommer, Andy (Kathy) Sommer, Sam (Shannon) Sommer, Chris (Jake) Wolfe, and Jamie (Chance) Gee; Peggy (Jim) Cook, Jim (Patti) Davis, Cheryl (Kevin) Murdock ; 13 grandchildren and several great grand children and extended family. He is preceded in death by brothers Cap Sommer and Bob Sommer, and sisters, Mary Sommer, Wilma Sprute, and Irene Bridges.