Laurie Ann Somes

Laurie Ann Somes (Banks) passed away peacefully on March 5,
2024 at the age of 73 in her home in Moses Lake, WA. Laurie
was born on August 1, 1950 in Longview, Washington. She was
raised in Anchorage, Alaska, where her family moved when she
was a toddler. She graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s
degree in Speech from Washington State University, where she
also met her eternal companion, Craig Somes. Laurie married
Craig on August 25, 1973 in Snohomish, WA. Together they
raised four biological children and later adopted twins from
Ethiopia in 2007. Their family resided in Anchorage AK, Everett
WA, Arlington WA, and Port Townsend WA, and they moved to
Moses Lake WA in 2022.
Laurie worked as a Speech and Language Pathologist throughout
her life, mostly in elementary schools. She wrote, illustrated, and
published a children’s book called ABC’s of Washington State.
Laurie loved reading, genealogical research, visiting her family
and grandchildren, church service, and was always up for some
shopping. She was a talented artist and seamstress, and fed
many mouths with her skills in the kitchen.
Laurie has been serving as a service missionary for the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Indexing Department for
the church’s Family History program, and she also worked in the
Moses Lake Temple. She radiated love and kindness to anyone
she came in contact with.
Laurie is preceded in death by her parents, Claire and Betty
Banks. She leaves behind her husband of 50 years, Craig Somes,
her children Megan (James) Bennett, Ian (Staci) Somes, Tyler
(Taya) Somes, Shannon (Dave) Johnson, Miki (Sebly) Somes,
Tuni Somes, her brothers Greg (Bonnie) Banks and Marc Banks,
and 24 grandchildren.

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