Bill and Rebecca Sommers

Bill and Becky Sommers passed away April 5, 2024 and November 19, 2022, respectively. 

A memorial service to celebrate their lives will be held at 2:30 PM, Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. 

Bill Robert Sommers, 82, of Bismarck, passed away on April 5th, 2024, at home with his family by his side after a courageous battle of heart disease.

Bill was born in Aberdeen, SD on January 17th, 1942 to Stanley and Inez Sommers. He lived in Aberdeen until moving to Bismarck in 1976. In 1973, he married the love of his life, Rebecca Sommers. Together, they had a son, Scott and he gained a stepdaughter, Jackie.

Bill worked in the construction industry for nearly 40 years. He was very proud of the many buildings around Bismarck and Aberdeen he helped construct. After his early retirement in 1982, Bill continued in the construction trade with numerous projects for neighbors, friends, and family.

He loved traveling on their bus that he converted to make it their own. Bill was a member of the FMCA Ramblin' NoDak's Motorhome Club where he was able to meet many of his lifelong friends. He loved traveling to the many rallies spread across the United States, but he also enjoyed playing his many guitars. Any chance he would get, you could find him playing country tunes. If he wasn't in his garage watching news and yelling at the tv, you would find him either reading old Western books or napping. His famous quote is known to many, "I'll see ya later, I am going to go lay down for a bit."

Bill is survived by his son, Scott (Nichole) Sommers; daughter Jackie (Dennis) Parr; grandsons, Justin (Erin) Glaser and Brandon Glaser; granddaughters, Brittany Tergesen, Hartley and Harper Sommers; two great granddaughters, Rylee and Brooklyn Tergesen; two great grandsons, Isaac and Levi Glaser; two brothers, Mike (Shirley) Sommers and Stan (Cheryl) Sommers; and two sisters, Sue Melius and Faye Hottman.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca; his parents, Stanley and Inez; his two brothers, Don and Steve Sommers; and his sister, Donna Goldade.

Rebecca (Becky) Jo Sommers, 78, Bismarck, passed away on November 19, 2022, at home with her family and best friend, Mary, by her side, after a courageous seven-month battle with brain cancer.

Per Becky’s request, a joint funeral will be held for her and her beloved husband, Bill, when that day comes.

Rebecca was born in Lake Park, IA, on Feb. 15, 1944, and graduated from Lake Park High School.

In 1962, Becky married Douglas Blair and together they had two children, Jackie and Brian. She later lost her husband and son in a car accident. In 1973, she married Bill Sommers and together they had a son, Scott.

Becky’s love for children kept her busy in her home daycare that she began in 1963 and continued until 2020. Many, many children had come through her home, including the children of children that she took care of. Many kept in touch throughout the years.

She loved camping in the bus that Bill converted into a motorhome. She was a member of the Ramblin’ NoDak’s Motorhome Club, keeping the title as secretary for 16 years. Becky enjoyed reading, bird watching, and maintaining her flowers in her spare time.

Becky is survived by her husband, Bill; son, Scott (Nichole) Sommers; daughter, Jackie (Dennis) Parr; grandsons, Justin (Erin) Glaser and Brandon (Ethan) Glaser; granddaughters, Brittany Tergesen, Hartley and Harper Sommers; two great-granddaughters, Rylee and Brooklyn Tergesen; great-grandson, Isaac Glaser, and one more great-grandchild on the way; two sisters,  Karmen Schoelerman and Alice “Hoosie” (Stan) Anderson; brother, Bob (Terry) McFarland; and her best friend, Mary, who was by her side daily.

Becky was preceded in death by Douglas and Brian Blair; her parents, Boyd and Edith McFarland; and four grandparents.

Becky’s love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is what she truly enjoyed. She would do anything for all of them and always put them before her needs.