Edith (Babe) Louise Summers, 98, resident of Lassen County, California, passed away on January 24, 2026, in Susanville. Born January 1, 1928, Edith was the sixth child of Gustav and Ottilia Wagner. She married her love Fred Summers on October 23, 1948, and they were married until Fred’s passing in 1990. Edith took such pride in being a lifelong Lassen County resident. She graduated Lassen High school in 1946 and loved being an Alumni member, always attending the annual picnic. There were two things that Edith was probably best known for: being a school bus driver for 32 years and her homemade sauerkraut that she would sell through the Lutheran Church every year.
Edith loved being a part of the local community. She was passionate about local history and volunteered as a docent and a board member at the Lassen Historical Museum for over 30 years. She participated for many years in 3rd grade day for our local students, teaching them about the pioneer days. She also enjoyed participating in Jolly Elders in Janesville, and was a founding member of the Lassen County Sewing Circle. Edith also loved crafting, crocheting, sewing and reading.
Fred and Edith built their forever home in Standish where she resided on her own after his passing until she was 92. They had four children together, two girls that both died shortly after childbirth and two sons.
After Fred’s passing, Edith took the opportunity to live life to its fullest. She traveled for years with her friends and even made a trip to China with her eldest son Robert. Nothing could slow her down; she was a fiercely independent and stubborn woman which she took great pride in. Her faith was an important part of her life and she was an active member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Edith spent the last few years of her life living at Eagle Lake Village Assisted Living Facility, where she truly loved all the care partners that took care of her. She would always say, “I think I’m their favorite.”
Edith is preceded in death by her parents Gustav (Pop) and Ottilia (Mimi) Wagner; her brothers Al, Ed, Herb, Harold, and sister Elda; her husband Fred Summers and her two infant girls. She is survived by her sons Daryl (Nancy) Summers, Robert (Vivian) Summers, her grandchildren Laura (Justin) Kraft, Eric Summers, Diana Summers, and Benjamin Summers.
Services will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 105 Ash St., Susanville at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a local church or charity in Edith’s name.
