Dean Harold Sommerfeld

A much-loved husband, father, grandfather and son, Dean Harold Sommerfeld passed away on Saturday May 30, 2026. Dean was born August 10, 1933 and was the only child of Ida (Hostetler) Sommerfeld and Harold Jacob Sommerfeld. Born in Harper, Kansas and raised in Heston, Kansas, he was trustworthy from an early age. Dean was given keys to the door of the Hesston Bank at the age of 13 so he could sweep the floors and empty the trash before school.

Dean met Carolyn Kay Wynne on a blind date in 1954 and they wed on May 4, 1956, a marriage that lasted just over 70 years. They have three sons, Gary Dean Sommerfeld (Michelle) of Shawnee, Kansas; David Lee Sommerfeld (Karen) of Springfield, Missouri; and Douglas Wynne Sommerfeld (Heidi) of Bad Soden, Germany.

Dean was known as a master craftsman cabinet maker. He had worked as a carpenter, a door salesman, and a cabinet installer, but he always maintained a home-business building residential cabinets for a few contractors in the Kansas City area. He started that work with a cast-iron-base table saw that he traded for a busted station wagon. He finished his career as a top cabinet salesman at Quality Wood Products. Dean also built furniture for himself and others. He could repair most wooden furniture and recreate missing or broken components.

In 1971, Dean took on most of the work building a house in Basehor, Kansas. The family lived in the house for 25 years. His home cabinet-making business was in the basement-garage. Through all his years Dean maintained a garden and was particularly fond of Jetstar tomatoes.

Dean is survived by his wife, three sons, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. His quiet, gentle demeanor will be missed.

A visitation will be at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, KS 66112 on Friday June 12, 2026 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 pm.