Betty L. Sommers

Betty L. Sommers, 85, of East Moline, Illinois, died Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at home.

A hospitality gathering to celebrate Betty’s life is 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 26, at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. Military honors will be presented at 4:00 p.m. by the Moline American Legion Post #246. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory with private burial at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Andrew, Iowa, at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established in Betty’s memory.

The former Betty Lou Turner was born March 20, 1939, in Newport, Arkansas, the daughter of Bertie and Grace (Lewis) Turner. She served in the U.S. Navy and went on to work as a private duty nurse for over 20 years, retiring in 2001. She married Donald L. Sommers on January 4, 1975, in Moline. He died June 30, 2015. 

She had been a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, East Moline. She enjoyed gardening, reading, and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Illini Basketball fan. Above all else, family was the most important thing to Betty. She played an active role in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives and was extremely proud of every one of them.

Betty is survived by five children, Michael (Chris) Sommers of Davenport, Kathy (Mike) Smeltzer of Davenport, Sandra (Mark) Rice of Davenport, Tammy (Brian) Sullivan of East Moline, and Col. Rick Webb of Papillion, Nebraska; 10 grandchildren, Josh (Rebekah) Sommers, Adam (Nicole) Sommers, Aaron (Shannon) Sommers, Matt (Sarah) Smeltzer, Jake Smeltzer, Aaron (Jill) Sullivan, Rachel Sullivan, Seth (Ashley) Sullivan, Megan (Ryan) Denney, and Nick (Alissa) Sletten; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald;  a son-in-law, Mark Rice; and a grandson-in-law, Ken Frew.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.