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.