Obituary for Cecil Dale Somsel
Cecil “Sam” Dale Somsel, age 84 of Manistee, died on October 24, 2022, at the Green Acres Retirement Home with his family by his side.
He was born June 21, 1938, in Brethren, the son of Samuel and Lulu (Hanes) Somsel. He grew up on the family farm along the Big Manistee River in a large family and graduated from Brethren Dickson High School.
Sam married Martha A. Hanson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manistee on September 24, 1961. They lived in Dearborn, Saginaw, Frankenmuth, and Manistee, raising 7 children. They were foster parents for many years and hosted numerous foreign exchange students whom they’ve kept in contact with over the years. Sam spent most of his working career at the Grey Iron Foundry for General Motors as a millwright. There were very few things which he couldn’t build or repair and could be found working on various projects such as remodeling bedrooms, bathrooms, and porches at their home in Manistee, plastering and wallpapering walls like a professional. If he wasn’t busy doing something at home, it was because he was traveling with Marti. They traveled the world and made friends on many of those trips, friendships which have lasted a lifetime.
Sam loved the outdoors, especially hunting at the old family farm with his brothers, nieces, and nephews, down in the flats and on the banks along the Manistee River. He cherished his time there until the very end and seemed to return to these memories often in his mind. When he was younger, he enjoyed snowmobiling, canoeing, camping, and many other adventures outside with his family that were passed on to his children as a living legacy.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Walter, Arthur, and Carl; 5 sisters, May, Audrey, Edna, Bethel, and Dena, twin siblings that died in infancy, as well as a grandson, Mark Leavitt.
Sam is survived by his wife Martha; 3 sons, Jim (Holly) Somsel of Tecumseh, MI, Mark (Rebecka) Somsel of Long Beach, MS, and Chris (Kirsten) Somsel of Whitehall, MI; 4 daughters, Rebekkah (Waine) Bigelow of Mt. Morris, MI, Bobbie Somsel of Traverse City, MI, Leah Somsel, and Jennifer Somsel; grandchildren Erin Somsel, Ryan Somsel, Erik McKay; step-grandchildren Kayla Bigelow, Nathan Bigelow, Bentley Anderson, and Harper Anderson; a brother, Dewey (Donna) Somsel; a brother-in-law Jim Hanson (Pat Lynett); numerous nieces and nephews; and close family friend Scott Yankee.
Sam’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Green Acres of Manistee for the loving care shown to Sam and his family, and Scott Yankee for the devoted support in countless ways as Sam’s health declined.
Funeral services for Cecil Somsel will be held on Saturday, October 29th at 11:00am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Onekama with the Rev. Jacob Sherry officiating. The burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Manistee. Visitation will be held Friday, October 28th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Oak Grove Funeral Home in Manistee and on Saturday at the church from 10:00am until the time of the service.
The family suggests memorials be given to Valley Lutheran High School - 3560 McCarty Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48603.
Please share a memory with the family at www.oakgrovefh.com. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee.
He was born June 21, 1938, in Brethren, the son of Samuel and Lulu (Hanes) Somsel. He grew up on the family farm along the Big Manistee River in a large family and graduated from Brethren Dickson High School.
Sam married Martha A. Hanson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manistee on September 24, 1961. They lived in Dearborn, Saginaw, Frankenmuth, and Manistee, raising 7 children. They were foster parents for many years and hosted numerous foreign exchange students whom they’ve kept in contact with over the years. Sam spent most of his working career at the Grey Iron Foundry for General Motors as a millwright. There were very few things which he couldn’t build or repair and could be found working on various projects such as remodeling bedrooms, bathrooms, and porches at their home in Manistee, plastering and wallpapering walls like a professional. If he wasn’t busy doing something at home, it was because he was traveling with Marti. They traveled the world and made friends on many of those trips, friendships which have lasted a lifetime.
Sam loved the outdoors, especially hunting at the old family farm with his brothers, nieces, and nephews, down in the flats and on the banks along the Manistee River. He cherished his time there until the very end and seemed to return to these memories often in his mind. When he was younger, he enjoyed snowmobiling, canoeing, camping, and many other adventures outside with his family that were passed on to his children as a living legacy.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Walter, Arthur, and Carl; 5 sisters, May, Audrey, Edna, Bethel, and Dena, twin siblings that died in infancy, as well as a grandson, Mark Leavitt.
Sam is survived by his wife Martha; 3 sons, Jim (Holly) Somsel of Tecumseh, MI, Mark (Rebecka) Somsel of Long Beach, MS, and Chris (Kirsten) Somsel of Whitehall, MI; 4 daughters, Rebekkah (Waine) Bigelow of Mt. Morris, MI, Bobbie Somsel of Traverse City, MI, Leah Somsel, and Jennifer Somsel; grandchildren Erin Somsel, Ryan Somsel, Erik McKay; step-grandchildren Kayla Bigelow, Nathan Bigelow, Bentley Anderson, and Harper Anderson; a brother, Dewey (Donna) Somsel; a brother-in-law Jim Hanson (Pat Lynett); numerous nieces and nephews; and close family friend Scott Yankee.
Sam’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Green Acres of Manistee for the loving care shown to Sam and his family, and Scott Yankee for the devoted support in countless ways as Sam’s health declined.
Funeral services for Cecil Somsel will be held on Saturday, October 29th at 11:00am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Onekama with the Rev. Jacob Sherry officiating. The burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Manistee. Visitation will be held Friday, October 28th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Oak Grove Funeral Home in Manistee and on Saturday at the church from 10:00am until the time of the service.
The family suggests memorials be given to Valley Lutheran High School - 3560 McCarty Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48603.
Please share a memory with the family at www.oakgrovefh.com. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee.