David J. Summ

David Johann Fredrich Summ, age 89, passed peacefully on May 12, 2025, at Ingleside Manor in Mount Horeb, Wis.  David was born on October 1, 1935, at home on a farm in Polar, near Antigo, Wis. to the late Herman George and Margaret Bertha (Demlow) Summ.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Margaret (Demlow) Summ; in-laws, Walter and Pauline (O’Daniel) Climer; sister, Gertrude (Gene) Washatko; brother-in-law, Dewain Washatko; sister-in-law, Virginia Summ; and daughter-in-law, Kathy Summ.

David was the youngest of four children in the Summ family. He was raised on the family farm in Polar which he truly loved, as a child he enjoyed playing ball, swimming in Mueller’s Lake, fishing in Demlow Lake and tobogganing in winter. He attended a one-room schoolhouse within a walking mile from the family farm.

Both sets of David’s grandparents were German Immigrant arriving to the U.S. in the mid-1800s, one set from Gutach, Germany, in the Black Forest and the other from Mecklenberg, (Prussia) Germany and settled in Polar, Wis.

He lived in a very tight-knit German community. His father’s brother married his mother’s sister and his two sisters married two brothers all in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. This was the church his grandparents help found. He graduated from Antigo High School, Class of 1953 and he loved riding around in his 1949 Chevy.

After graduating in 1953, he then enlisted in the National Guard and served from 1954 to 1960. He was united in marriage to Joann (Climer) on September 21, 1957, at St Peter’s Church Lutheran Church in Polar, Wis.

David learned the auto mechanic trade at Parson’s Chevrolet Dealership in Bryant, Wis. Then he began his migration to numerous other jobs - farmer in Fort Atkinson, back to Antigo working at the Schulz Cheese Factory, then Hooper Power Company repairing diesel vehicles, where he was on the road nearly every weekday covering a multi-state region.

By 1978, he and Joann along with their youngest children, Darrell and Diane, moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he went to work as a diesel mechanic. After 11 years, he and Joann moved to Puyallup, Wash. He and Joann retired in 2001. They traveled the U.S. with their fifth wheeler for 10 months and finally settled down in Mesquite, Nev. In 1989 they visited with their daughter and son-in-law in Germany and were able to travel to the Black Forest where his family has such a history.

After settling into a retirement resort in Mesquite, Nev. in 2001, they traveled often to visit family.  David became quite accomplished at his favorite retirement pastimes - playing pool and golfing.

He was very proud of his family, having served in the National Guard himself at Camp (Fort) McCoy.  His family became a military family, son Brian retired from the Air Force serving 27 years, youngest son Darrell served four years in the U.S. Air Force and son-in-law, Doyle, retired from the U.S. Army serving 25 years. His Lutheran faith provided his family with strong Christian values that have served them well.

David is survived by his wife, Joann (Climer) of 68 years; children, Paula (Doyle) Watters of Mount Horeb, Wis., Brian (Penny) of Antigo, Wis., Darrell (Shauna) of Aurora, Colo., and Diane Herriman Aurora, Colo.; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Martin Summ; sister, Renata Washatko; and many nieces and nephews.

David and Joann led a simple life, but a good life. After wandering far and wide they returned to their roots in Wisconsin, where they had earned the reputation as the “Roaming Summ.”

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth St.

(608) 437-5077