Marvin Dwain Somers

Marvin Dwain Somers was born November 27, 1925, in Melvin, Iowa to John Stanley Somers and Flora Mae (Williams) Somers. Marvin passed away peacefully at home on June 4, 2023 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. The family is very thankful for the awesome care that was provided by Avera Home Hospice and Marv’s wonderful wife Pam. All were a blessing from God for dad’s care in his last weeks. Marvin married Shirley Ward in 1951 and to this marriage was born three sons, Dennis Dwain, Gregory Alan, and Jeffrey Marvin. Shirley went home to be with the Lord in 1983. Marvin married again to Pam Carlson (his forever fishing and golfing partner) on December 31, 1988. Pam had two children Penny and Clay.

Marvin resided as a youth in the Okoboji area and graduated from High School in 1943. He enjoyed all outdoor sports; hunting, fishing, ice skating, baseball and track. Marv also had a passion for indoor roller skating. After graduation he joined the United States Navy in 1944 where he became a ships radio operator. He served in the Hawaiian Islands and Okinawa until his Honorable discharge in 1946. Shortly after his return back to the Northwest Iowa area he took up the trade and career of a carpenter. While enjoying working with his hands he would also work evenings as the floor manager of roller rinks in Spencer and Arnolds Park. Marv’s other passion was teaching kids to play baseball. He served as a head coach to Spencer Little League for 30 years. Marv coached all three of his sons and many, many others during his coaching years. During his off time, what little there was Marv skated in a local trio that participated in many area competitions.

Marvin accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior just before his wife Shirley died while attending the Ninth Street Baptist Church in Spencer, Iowa. Marv and Pam were members of Faith Lutheran Church in Spencer, Iowa. Marv was also a 30-year member of the Spencer American Legion Post 1. Marv was able to take one Final Tour of Duty with The Midwest Honor Flight in 2019. He was honored and blessed to be able to go and pay homage to his fallen comrades in all services in all wars.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Pam Somers, Spencer, IA; his sons Dennis (Linda) Somers, Sioux Rapids, IA, Jeff Somers and Shana Ray of Weyauwega, WI, step children Penny (Phil) Kim, Miami Shores, FL and Clay Carlson, Milford, IA; sister Shirley Vukson, Council Bluffs, IA; grandchildren Nathan (Kelly) Somers, St. Cloud, MN, Kelli (Mike) Billingsley, Allen, TX, Lauren (Chase) Sly, Azle, TX, Garrett (Quinn) Somers, Azle, TX. Nine great grandchildren, Michelle, Katie and Mike, (Billingsley), Pax and Phoebe, (Kim), Logan and Harper, (Sly), Greyson and Aliyah, (Somers) and many other relatives and friends. Marv was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley and his son Gregory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Marvin to Special Youth Challenge Ministries of NW Iowa (www.SYCIowa.org) or to The Midwest Honor Flight Organization of Sioux Center, Iowa (www.midwesthonorflight.org) .