Memorial
Dale Vincent Somers, 98, of Central City, died March 23, 2015 at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 27, 2015 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Friends may call one hour before the service on Friday at the chapel. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors.
Dale was born September 29, 1916 to Archibald C. and Lottie B. (Jones) Somers. He was the youngest of four children, with siblings Evelyn, Harold and Donald. Dale graduated from Dickens High School in 1934. He attended business colleges in Omaha, NE and Des Moines, IA. In 1941 he enlisted in the Army serving 44 months abroad during WWII and achieving the level of Chief Warrant Officer. He had only a few dates with his future wife, Mary Louise Shakespeare, when he left for the service. They kept in touch during the war and when they became officially engaged by correspondence in 1943, he had his brother buy their engagement ring and send it to her. They were married June 15, 1945. In 1951, Dale and Mary moved to Central City, IA and started a long career of farming. This year would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.
Dale is survived by his wife Mary, his son Allan (Marion) Somers, his daughter Barbara (Richard) Dudley, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and a daughter Marilyn (Victor) Miller.
Dale was a member of the United Church of Christ in Central City. He was past Commander of the American Legion Post 194, past Clay County Commander of the American Legion, and past Commander of American Legion Post 421, being a member for 69 consecutive years. He was a District Lecturer of Masonic Lodge 284 as well as a member of other Masonic units. He was a past Linn County Farm Bureau president and supported Camp Courageous by selling thousands of fruit cakes over the course of many years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.