Annamae Somers

Annamae Somers

Annamae Somers, 91, of Havre, passed away on Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, at Northern Montana Hospital of congestive heart failure.

Annamae was born on July 3, 1921, to Edward and Anna (O'Connor) Bough on their homestead 20 miles north of Havre. She was the third of the five Bough girls who all attended the one-room elementary school at St. Joe's. Annamae graduated from Havre High in 1939 and then attended Northern Montana College.

In 1943 she married Jack L. Somers in San Antonio, Texas, prior to him leaving to serve in the U. S. Army.

After being a 1950s homemaker, sewing her daughter's clothes and Barbie's too, cooking, baking and playing bridge, she began working again in 1965 at the Hill County Courthouse. She was appointed Clerk and Recorder in 1977 and elected to the position in 1978. She served until her retirement in 1982.

Annamae continued to work part-time at the LaMode and Debbie's. She loved beautiful clothes, shoes and could not resist a good sale. She took this opportunity to travel the world on cruises to Mexico and Greece and trips to China and Hong Kong.

Annamae passed along her love of reading and politics to her children. She remained an active member of the Democratic Party and was thrilled to have voted for President Obama not once but twice. She was never shy of voicing her opinion on a variety of political topics as she kept herself well-informed of the local and national issues. She continued to be an avid reader. Even after she lost her sight she still read by listening to books on tape.

Annamae was fiercely independent and self-reliant. She was delighted that she was able to provide for herself and her family after her husband's death and grateful that she was able to live on her own for so many years.

But most of all, she was a kind and loving mother and a great friend to many. She will be truly missed by those who knew her.

Annamae was preceded in death by her husband, Jack L. Somers; her parents, Edward and Anna Bough; and her sisters Margaret McKinnie and Frances Schafer.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Somers of Havre, Peggy (Francis) Van Voast of Turner, and Nancy Somers (Mitch Irvine) of Bellevue, Wash. ; her son, Jack L. Somers Jr. of Havre; her four grandchildren, Ricki (Chris) Brueher of Redmond, Wash., Jess E. Van Voast of Havre, Josh Van Voast of Billings, Hannah Somers of Havre; her two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Colton Brueher, also of Redmond, Wash. ; and her two sisters Evelyn Baird of Cedar Ridge, Colo., and Dorothy (Ed) Majerus of Lewistown, Mont.

A vigil will be held at 7 p. m. on Friday, Jan 4, 2013, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a. m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, with Father Daniel Wathen officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Montana Talking Book Library or the Montana Blind and Low Vision Service or a memorial of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.