Obituary for Frank Norman Summerside
Frank N. Summerside, 93, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.
Frank Norman Summerside was born in Redfield, South Dakota on June 29, 1928, the son of Frank H. and Caroline (Oestreich) Summerside. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1946 where he sang, played clarinet in the band and cello in the orchestra. He continued his education at St. Olaf College, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1950.
On June 25, 1955, Frank and Ruth Margaret Carlson were united in marriage in Finley, North Dakota. They were married for 54 years before Ruth’s passing in 2010.
His teaching career began in Thief River Falls, Minnesota where he taught vocal music and started a string program. Subsequent teaching was in Virginia, Minnesota, Eastern New Mexico University on a sabbatical replacement and Austin, Minnesota. While at Austin, Frank also taught off campus courses for Winona State.
Frank came to Le Mars in 1963 where he was on the faculty of Westmar College until his retirement in 1993. That Fall he began the first Northwest Iowa teaching of the Orff Method in Elementary Education. While at Westmar, he brought the Westmar Chorale to the forefront with appearances at EXPO 67, four extensive European tours and appearances with the Sioux City Symphony. The Chorale formed the nucleus for a city-wide massed choir in the Le Mars events and Frank shared the podium with Leo Kucinski and later Tom Lewis.
Frank was appointed to the Iowa Arts Council by then Governor Robert Ray and served two three-year terms. Through his leadership the Le Mars Arts Council was formed and concerts such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Dance Company and the Stockholm Radio Choir were achieved as well as those of the Sioux City Symphony.
After his tenure at Thief River, Frank pursued a Master of Music Education Degree at the University of Colorado. He continued his graduate study over his teaching career with two summers with Robert Shaw at San Diego State and summer study at the University of New Minnesota, University of Colorado, Tanglewood, the University of Wisconsin, Evansville University, Drake University, The University of Iowa, University of Nebraska, St. Cloud State and the University of Oregon under Helmuth Rilling. Frank also attended the first World Congress of the National Association Teachers of Singing held in Strassbourg, France.
While in Le Mars, Frank was active in the Le Mars Lions Club, Floyd Valley Garden club, Le Mars Betterment committee, Le Mars Arts Council, Le Mars CVB committee, Main Street Design committee, St. John’s Lutheran and Presbyterian UCC churches. Through the years, many have enjoyed roses from his yard.
Frank was a life-long learner and was passionate about gardening! His family considered him the "Google" search for anything gardening-related. He was a voracious reader and greatly appreciated the willingness of the Le Mars Public Library to obtain requests! He enjoyed baking and candy making and made many batches of fudge over the years, which he mailed to grandchildren per request. He loved playing Hearts and Bridge and his family and former college students remember his fun but competitive spirit when playing at family reunions and on choir tours. He had a beautiful baritone voice and an amazing sense of humor. He was loved by so many and will be deeply missed.
Frank was also active outside the local community having served on the boards of the Sioux Valley Kennel Club and the Sioux City Chamber Music, Inc. He was the owner of Nordic Cockers and often contributed breed articles to The Cocker Spaniel Leader. He was an AKC approved judge of the Sporting Group, Nine Toy breeds, Jr. Showmanship and Best in Show before retiring in 2012. For many years, he was a choral music reviewer for the ACDA Journal and was a life member of that group. Frank retired from Westmar in 1993 but remained an active voice teacher of young area students in his home and occasionally subbed at Gehlen Catholic Schools.
Frank is survived by his children; Nathan Summerside of Le Mars, IA, Paul (Margaret) Summerside of De Pere, WI, Joan (Matt Mesnik) Summerside of Golden Valley, MN; grandchildren; Erik (fiancé Maddie), Jordan (Nicole) Summerside, Mark and Meg Summerside, Darnell (fiancé Kara) Clark, Abby (husband Adam Frei) Mesnik and Ellen Mesnik; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in 2010; his parents; sisters, Dorothy, Carol, Helen and Rosemary; brothers, Robert, George, Jean; nephews, Mark, Fred, Jeff and George.
Frank Norman Summerside was born in Redfield, South Dakota on June 29, 1928, the son of Frank H. and Caroline (Oestreich) Summerside. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1946 where he sang, played clarinet in the band and cello in the orchestra. He continued his education at St. Olaf College, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1950.
On June 25, 1955, Frank and Ruth Margaret Carlson were united in marriage in Finley, North Dakota. They were married for 54 years before Ruth’s passing in 2010.
His teaching career began in Thief River Falls, Minnesota where he taught vocal music and started a string program. Subsequent teaching was in Virginia, Minnesota, Eastern New Mexico University on a sabbatical replacement and Austin, Minnesota. While at Austin, Frank also taught off campus courses for Winona State.
Frank came to Le Mars in 1963 where he was on the faculty of Westmar College until his retirement in 1993. That Fall he began the first Northwest Iowa teaching of the Orff Method in Elementary Education. While at Westmar, he brought the Westmar Chorale to the forefront with appearances at EXPO 67, four extensive European tours and appearances with the Sioux City Symphony. The Chorale formed the nucleus for a city-wide massed choir in the Le Mars events and Frank shared the podium with Leo Kucinski and later Tom Lewis.
Frank was appointed to the Iowa Arts Council by then Governor Robert Ray and served two three-year terms. Through his leadership the Le Mars Arts Council was formed and concerts such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Dance Company and the Stockholm Radio Choir were achieved as well as those of the Sioux City Symphony.
After his tenure at Thief River, Frank pursued a Master of Music Education Degree at the University of Colorado. He continued his graduate study over his teaching career with two summers with Robert Shaw at San Diego State and summer study at the University of New Minnesota, University of Colorado, Tanglewood, the University of Wisconsin, Evansville University, Drake University, The University of Iowa, University of Nebraska, St. Cloud State and the University of Oregon under Helmuth Rilling. Frank also attended the first World Congress of the National Association Teachers of Singing held in Strassbourg, France.
While in Le Mars, Frank was active in the Le Mars Lions Club, Floyd Valley Garden club, Le Mars Betterment committee, Le Mars Arts Council, Le Mars CVB committee, Main Street Design committee, St. John’s Lutheran and Presbyterian UCC churches. Through the years, many have enjoyed roses from his yard.
Frank was a life-long learner and was passionate about gardening! His family considered him the "Google" search for anything gardening-related. He was a voracious reader and greatly appreciated the willingness of the Le Mars Public Library to obtain requests! He enjoyed baking and candy making and made many batches of fudge over the years, which he mailed to grandchildren per request. He loved playing Hearts and Bridge and his family and former college students remember his fun but competitive spirit when playing at family reunions and on choir tours. He had a beautiful baritone voice and an amazing sense of humor. He was loved by so many and will be deeply missed.
Frank was also active outside the local community having served on the boards of the Sioux Valley Kennel Club and the Sioux City Chamber Music, Inc. He was the owner of Nordic Cockers and often contributed breed articles to The Cocker Spaniel Leader. He was an AKC approved judge of the Sporting Group, Nine Toy breeds, Jr. Showmanship and Best in Show before retiring in 2012. For many years, he was a choral music reviewer for the ACDA Journal and was a life member of that group. Frank retired from Westmar in 1993 but remained an active voice teacher of young area students in his home and occasionally subbed at Gehlen Catholic Schools.
Frank is survived by his children; Nathan Summerside of Le Mars, IA, Paul (Margaret) Summerside of De Pere, WI, Joan (Matt Mesnik) Summerside of Golden Valley, MN; grandchildren; Erik (fiancé Maddie), Jordan (Nicole) Summerside, Mark and Meg Summerside, Darnell (fiancé Kara) Clark, Abby (husband Adam Frei) Mesnik and Ellen Mesnik; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in 2010; his parents; sisters, Dorothy, Carol, Helen and Rosemary; brothers, Robert, George, Jean; nephews, Mark, Fred, Jeff and George.