Wayne Somers

Wayne Somers, age 95, lifelong resident of Green Mountain and a member of the Greatest Generation, died Monday, November 5th, at Accura Healthcare in Marshalltown where he has resided for the past two years.                      Funeral services will be held at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home on Friday, November 9, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. with a public visitation held one hour prior to the service. For condolences please visit www.Mitchellfh.com or call (641)-844-1234.           Born on Decmeber 30, in 1922, in Marshalltown, Wayne was born to Charles Harry Caldwell and Irma Vivian Somers Caldwell. He later was adopted by Uncle Bob Somers. His birth mother was one of two murders in Marshall County that were never solved. He attended the Green Mountain Public Schools.           Wayne served our country honorably in the United States Army in WWII and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1946. On May 29th, 1943, he was united in marriage to Norma Kelley in Yuma, AZ. They made their home in Green Mountain (which he and Norma built) all of their married lives and were blessed with four children: Craig, Pam, Vicki and Jeffrey. Mr. Somers was general manager of the Green Mountain Elevator for over 25 years and later at Garwin Lumber for five years and then the Beaman Co-Op for 14 years, retiring in 1983. Wayne was a member of the Green Mountain United Church of Christ serving as past deacon and choir member, the Green Mountain school board (youngest president of the board in their history) and secretary for the board for 19 years, and board of the Green Mountain Cemetery for over 60 years.           Left to honor his memory are three children: Craig (Peg) Somers of Marshalltown, Pam de Silva of Beaman and Jeff (Bonnie) Somers of Green Mountain; many dear grandchildren and precious great grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Wayne enjoyed music and played by ear the organ for mom and for anyone who came to visit.                         In death, Wayne rejoined his parents, his beautiful bride of 73 years, Norma, who died exactly two years prior on November 5th, 2016, his daughter Vicki Watson, great-granddaughter Mackenzie Lown, and siblings Evelyn Debates, Fern Hayes Poling, Shirley Medberry and Marjorie Carlson.