David Elmer SOMA

SOMA, CHAPMAN, NELSEN, ROBERTS, TORPEY, REESE, ROTH, WINKELS, MCGREW, MEHLHORN, BULLER, ELLIOTT, JENISON, DAVIS, LOSEN, SCHRODER, GATES

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/26/2007 at 12:37:43

David E. Soma 1936-2005

David E. Soma, 68, of Britt died Saturday, October 29, 2005, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, November 2, 2005, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Britt. The Rev. Jerry Black officiated. Dennis Brumm was the lector. Music was provided by organist, Brenda Smith who accompanied soloist, Jolene Leerar. Roger Jacobson and Charles Ward ushered. Casket bearers were Donavon Nelsen, William Rout, Paul Davis, Clifford Toft, Charlie Soma and Kenny Jensen. Burial was in the Belmond City Cemetery, Belmond. The Ewing-Dugger Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

David Elmer Soma, son of Elmer Sewart and Sylvia Ellen (Chapman) Soma, was born at their home in rural Belmond on December 4, 1936. He was raised in rural Belmond and attended country school. He was married to Janice Anne Nelsen of Clarion, on March 15, 1957 in Belmond. They divorced on June 22, 1987. David started his working life on the farm with dairy cows, but was always more interested in machines and equipment. He went on to become a very accomplished welder and worked for two different welding and fabrication shops. He designed and built his own boom truck for moving grain bins. He was a self-taught electrician and wired many homes and farms in the Wright County area through his own electrical business, making a lot of friends in the process. He also worked as a maintenance man at three different businesses in Eagle Grove during his working years. He retired in 1986. He enjoyed hunting and camping in his younger years and was an avid fisherman his entire life. He also had a great love of woodworking and created many different projects over the years. He also had a love of animals and was never without a good joke or story. On August 28, 1988, David was married to June Roberts in Britt. The couple made their home in Britt.

David is survived by his wife, June, of Britt; son, Daniel David Soma and wife, Colleen and daughters, Haley and Hannah of Eagle Grove; daughter, Julia Anne (Soma, Gates) Torpey and husband, Thomas of Aurora, Colorado; June's children: Joseph Roberts and wife, Lory and children, Michael and Kyle of Indianola; Rose Reese and husband, Joe of Mackinaw, Illinois and children, Tanya Roth and husband, Nick of St. Louis, Missouri and Tracy, Joey, Nikki, Katie, Bryan and Jamie, of Mackinaw, Illinois; Beverly Winkels of Austin, Minnesota and children, Regina McGrew of St. Louis, Missouri and Matt Winkels of Austin, Minnesota; Patricia Roberts of Jefferson City, Missouri; Carol Mehlhorn and children, Amy, Tim and Brenda of Dubuque; Dwight Roberts and wife, Benilda and children, Kimberly and Jeffrey of Indianola; Diane Buller and husband, Kurt and children, Alex and Megan of Richfield, Minnesota.
Survivors also include six sisters, Audrey Elliott and husband, Richard of San Diego, California, Phyllis Jenison and husband, Rollie of Ames, Eloise Davis and husband, Robert of Mason City, Sandra Losen and husband, Glendon of Mason City, Kathryn Schroder and husband, Ronald of Florida, and Cheryl Soma of Eagle Grove; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Sylvia Soma; and one grandson, Jonathan Lee Gates.

November 9, 2005
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005