Raymond H. "Bud" Somerville

Raymond 'Bud' H. Somerville, 86, of Superior died Friday October 13, 2023, at Essentia St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth.
Bud was born in Superior on January 27, 1937, the son of Raymond W. and Fern (Berg) Somerville. He graduated from Superior Central High School with the class of 1955.
He had worked as a commercial printer for the Superior Telegram and served as the Douglas County Clerk.
Bud started curling at age 11. He went on to compete on 14 Wisconsin state championship rinks. In 1965 in Seattle, Somerville's rink broke through for its first national championship.
He skipped the US teams in the Olympics in 1988 and 1992 when curling was a demonstration sport, finishing in 4th place in '88 and winning a bronze medal in '92.
Bud was a five-time national champion, a two-time world champion, was the first inductee into the USA Curling Hall of Fame, in 1984, and he was also inducted into the DECC Hall of Fame in 1971.
Bud was known for his great sense of humor and his family was very important to him. He enjoyed golfing and won the Senior Golf Championship at Nemadji. He also enjoyed playing pool and bass fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, John; sister, Arlene (Harry) Byrnes; and sister-in-law, Betty Ann (Bill) Strum.
Bud is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nancy; children, Tracy (David Fobear) Somerville of Superior and Tim (Svetlana) Somerville of Stillwater, MN; grandchildren, Michael (Melanie) Gordon of Flagstaff, AZ, Jeremy (Heidi) Gordon of Andover, MN, Samantha (Tyler) Danielczak of Eau Claire, WI, and Lera (Brandon) Kapple of Blaine, MN; great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Jaxson, Trusen, Ramione, Jordan, Hunter, Chloe, and Collin; nieces, nephews and extended family.
Visitation will be on Sunday, Oct. 22nd from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. funeral service at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 820 Belknap St., Superior, WI 54880 with Rev. Joel Huenemann as officiant. Private family burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Bob Nichols, Bob Christman, Jack Horst, Dave Fobear, Jeremy Gordon, and Mike Gordon.
If desired, memorials in Bud's name may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.