Linda Laipple-Somers

Linda Somers passed away on June 13, 2021, at Brookdale Senior Living Facility, in Niceville, Florida. Lida was born on June 3, 1944, to John Laipple and Margaret Foughty Laipple in Hampton, Iowa. She graduated from Hampton High School in 1962, and later from Allen Nursing School in 1965 to become an RN. Blessed with a beautiful Lyric Soprano voice she participated in many high school and community musical productions. She also began playing the piano at age 10. Linda met her husband of 56 years, Bob, while attending nursing school in Waterloo IA, and while he was an Air Force Lieutenant. She married Bob on May 1, 1965, and then traveled extensively accompanying her husband during his 26-year career to Iceland; Fulda and Ramstein, Germany; Vicenza, Italy; Virgina; and several assignments in Florida. Her son, Christopher Somers, was born at Ft. Lee, VA, and her daughter, Catherine Gray, was born in Hampton, IA. Both children graduated from HS in Vicenza, IT. 

Throughout her life, Linda sang solos and appeared in concerts, musical theater, one act operas, chorales, and church choirs overseas, and in the United States. She was able to study ad sing with German and Italian singers. She recorded English songs for elementary school Italian children’s language tapes and Textbooks. 

Besides musical performance, her interests were in gardening, sketching, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, swimming, ethnic foods, and traveling to see family and friends. 

Linda volunteered extensively to help friends and community. She helped one close friend by accompanying him to UAB and stayed with him before, during, and after a double lung transplant that enabled him to extend his life 11 years, remarry and spend time with his sons. She helped another friend during his end-of-life journey assisting with his care. She also recorded Cancer Detection public service announcement for Armed Forces TV, Italy. For more than a dozen years, she sang at Senior Living facilities on a weekly basis with her husband playing piano.

Linda was a great help mate to her husband’s Air Force career. She was often the sole parent to her children, while her husband was on long business trips and remote assignments. Even taking responsibility for the birth of her daughter when her husband was in Thailand. 

Linda was a strong and courageous person, had great integrity, and was a person of great spiritual faith. She has been most proud of her children who have become good and caring productive people who are great parents, and who have been engaged in helping people all of their lives. 

Linda was predeceased by her parents John (Bus) and Margaret Laipple, in-laws Robert and Lucielle Somers, son-in-law Chip Gray, nephew Patrick Laipple, and cousins Allen Laipple, Debra Laipple Ibeling, and Michelle Laipple Casey. 

Linda is survived by her husband Bob, her son Christopher and his family (wife Lisa, son Bryan, and daughter Sienna), her daughter Catherine (and son Nathan), her brother Jack Laipple and his family (wife Lynne, daughters Holly and Heather), and her brother Mark Laipple and his family (wife Becky, daughter Heather, and daughter Amy). 

A Celebration of Life for Linda is planned for 11:00, Thursday, June 17, at the Crosspoint Church Sanctuary, with Visitation commencing at 10:00 in the Gathering Area. 

Memorial donations can be made to Crosspoint Music Department, Niceville Campus, Niceville, FL.