Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 14th, at the Union Community Church, Union, Iowa, with his grandson, Pastor Spencer Sommerlot officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Friday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown and one-hour prior to the services at the church. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Iowa River Hospice or Union Community Church. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Richard was born on November 19, 1926, on the Sommerlot farm near Albion, Iowa, to Frances Merl and Margaret Eliza (Harper) Sommerlot. He graduated from the Albion High School and served our country honorably in the United States Maritime Service from 1945 until 1947.

On June 8, 1949, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Ramona Marie Reed, in Marshalltown, Iowa. Dick and Ramona farmed near Union, Iowa, from 1949 to 1996, raising four children. After Dick retired from farming, he and Ramona continued to live on the farm until 2017, being active in square-dancing, church leadership, wintering in Texas, crossword puzzles and hosting their many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 70 years, Ramona; their children: Dianna (Ron) Nelson, of Ames, Stephen (Evelyn) Sommerlot, of Lansing, MI, David (Teri) Sommerlot, of Ankeny and Roger (Geri) Sommerlot, of Pocahontas, as well as 19 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren (with two more on the way!

Preceded in death are his parents Margaret and Merl Sommerlot and his six brothers: Keith, Max, Robert, Wilfred, Dale and Leon.