David Byron Somers, loving husband and devoted father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully at Select Specialty Hospital in Davenport, Iowa due to complications relating to Parkinson’s Disease on April 15, 2024 at the age of 68.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 685 Fremont Ave, Dubuque, IA. There will be a visitation on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm at Hoffmann, Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home, 3860 Asbury Rd, Dubuque, IA and from 9:00 am until 9:45 am prior to service on Saturday at the church. Interment will be at Dubuque Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Full military honors will be rendered by the American Legion Post #6 and the Mid-Atlantic Region Navy Honor Guard.

David was born on August 3, 1955 in Dubuque, Iowa to Walter Byron Somers and Joyce Helen Somers. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1973 and later in life earned an associate degree from Northeast Iowa Community College.

After graduating high school, he packed up his Honda 175cc motorcycle and ambitiously headed west to Utah, sleeping at rest stops along US Highway 20, with the intent of enrolling at Brigham Young University where his sister Sue was attending. After one semester he ran out of money for school and enlisted in the United States Navy where he served on active duty from 1974 to 1976 and in the Navy Reserves until 1980.

It was while serving in the Navy and stationed in the Philippines, that David met the love of his life, Perla Pedrina Fernandez. They were married on June 5, 1976, in Washoe Valley, NV. On July 9, 1977 their marriage was sealed for eternity in the Oakland California Temple.

Dave returned to Dubuque in 1978, where he and Perla raised their two sons. Dave went to work for his father Walt, who ran a plumbing and HVAC business. He eventually took over the HVAC business, Home Heating Company, which he successfully ran for more than a decade before moving on to a career in sales. Always a great provider, he took immense pride in putting in an honest day’s work.

A selfless husband, father, and grandfather (affectionately known as Papa by his grandchildren), Dave was well-known for his sense of humor (telling the best dad jokes!), his devotion to his family, his gentle temperament, and for his caring and compassionate service. Dave always enjoyed maintaining an active lifestyle. Even being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the early age of 55 didn’t deter him from being up and about, helping around the house, completing projects, and keeping the yard looking sharp.  After his diagnosis, he also pursued a renewed interest in the guitar, which he enjoyed playing often.  He was determined to fight off the disease as long as possible and successfully maintained a high level of physical activity nearly every day up until his last days at home.

Dave was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He joined the Church at the age of 12 soon after his older sister Sue, and a few years before his brother Dennis. The three of them became first generation members and examples to those who came after them as the Church grew in Dubuque. He loved to serve others and took every opportunity to share his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, particularly in the way that he lived his life.

David Somers is survived in death by his wife of 48 years, Perla, sons Steve (Clara) Somers of Draper, UT and Ted (Hilery) Somers of Mount Juliet, TN; 6 grandchildren: Kolby, Nora, Christian, Aron, Benjamin, and Guy; siblings Sue (Keith) Webb, Dennis (Karen) Somers, Angela (Buzzy) Muntz, Jeff (Laurie) Somers, Chris (Tina) Somers, and Mike Somers. He is preceded in death by his parents Walt and Joyce, and sister-in-law Dianne Gelwix Somers.

A special thank you to MercyOne ICU in Dubuque and Select Specialty Hospital in Davenport for their loving care and support.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting David’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.