FORT WAYNE — Jane Rhue Somers, 103, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2014, at Northern Lakes Nursing Center with her family by her side.
She was born in Bluffton, August 9, 1910, to John A. and Mary (Todd) Rhue. She resided with her parents in Greenfield, then Marion.
Mrs. Somers graduated from DePauw University with a degree in French and physical education. She received the college's sports award her senior year. She was a devoted member of Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity all her life. She taught public school in Marion for several years. She met her husband, Dr. Gerald H. Somers, when he came to Marion for the opening of a new hospital. They were married in 1937. They took their honeymoon in a Cadillac LaSalle to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.
While Dr. Somers was finishing his medical degree, Mrs. Somers taught school at Speedway, Ind., an experience she cherished. They moved to Fort Wayne where Dr. Somers joined his father's medical practice in Waynedale. She was a member and president of the Medical Auxiliary and the Women's Reading Club.
When Dr. Somers died unexpectedly in 1969, Mrs. Somers moved to their cottage at Lake James and resumed her teaching career at Prairie Heights. After her retirement she became a house mother for several sororities at Michigan State University including Alpha Epsilon Pi, Chi Omega and Kappa Alpha Theta. There she played bridge, enjoyed college sports and generally entered into Greek life with such avidity that she earned the nickname "Champ." Many women continued to correspond with her after their graduation. She was a member of the University Club.
In her later years she retired to her Lake James home and welcomed her children and their growing families who visited her there often.
She was preceded in death by her husband; infant son, Jay; and twin infant grandsons.
She is survived by her daughter, Molly and her husband Gerry of Cullowhee, N.C.; son, John and his wife Cindy of Angola; son, Jim and his wife Kathy of Lake James; son, Jeff of Wake Fores, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
