Services
Obituary
Charles “Charlie” Soma, 81, of Belmond, passed away on Thursday January 18, 2024 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 304 3rd Avenue Northeast in Belmond, with Pastor Katie Pals officiating. Burial will be at a later date.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday, January 22, 2024 at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to services at the Church on Tuesday.
Charles E. Soma was born on January 23, 1942 to Norris and Eveline (Johnson) Soma in Belmond, Iowa. Charlie grew up in Belmond and graduated from Belmond High School in 1960. After high school, Charlie farmed with his father for 25 years.
In 1963, Charlie was united in marriage to Phebe Watne. Together they made their home in Belmond where they raised their children. Charles worked at Farmer’s Grain and later Kinseth’s until the time of his retirement at the age of 62.
Charlie enjoyed taking yearly fishing trips, traveling to Minnesota, Wisconsin and Canada on many occasions. Charles was well known in the community, and never met a stranger. During his retirement, Charles had his own routine, and people driving by would stop in to visit with him if they saw his vehicle outside of an establishment.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Phebe Soma of Belmond; his children, Camilla Gabrielson, Mark Soma, Angie Anderson, Darrin (Jana) Soma, and Kevin (Angie) Soma, all of Belmond; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; his sister Lois Beisner and brother Gilman Soma; sister-in-law, Norma (Jerry) McNertney of Ankeny; brothers-in-law, Jon (Bev Mosher) Watne and Ted (Sharon Schmalbeck) Watne, both of Belmond; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, Norris and Eveline Soma; sisters Dorothy Barkema, Eleanor Pals, Muriel Durant, Betty Dorenkamp, and Shirley Pals; parents-in-law John and Evelyn Watne; brothers-in-law James Beisner, Lyle Barkema, Alvin Pals, Duane Durant, Donald Dorenkamp, and Arlen Pals; sister-in-law Sandra Soma; son-in-law Marc Gabrielson; and daughter-in-law Kim Soma.