Jurate Somerville

1962 - 2021

Jurate Somerville
December 18, 1962 - July 31, 2021
Kennewick, Washington - Jurate Somerville was born December 18th 1962, in Vilnius Lithuania to Bernardo and Aldona Steponenaile. She grew up in Vilnius and received a degree from Vilnius University in hospitality and economics.
She was proud that Lithuania was the first country that revolted against the Soviet Union which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. She would talk about watching the Soviet tanks and soldiers outside her apartment window.
After a divorce, Jurate and her six-year-old daughter, Ruta, came to America in 1991. She lived for a short time in Denver, Colorado then moved to the Tri-Cities and as a single parent worked full-time and raised her daughter.
Jurate worked retail, was a licensed realtor and broker and was a licensed interpreter in both Russian and Lithuanian. She also translated and published three books that her late uncle wrote in the mid-60's. In the year 2000, she proudly became a U.S. citizen.
In 2000 she met Roy Kauer and they enjoyed traveling, making trips to Yellowstone, Hells Canyon, Black Hills, The Bad Lands, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Alaskan Cruise, Lituania, Costa Rica, The Humboldt Redwoods and many trips to the mountains and the Washington and Oregon coast.
She loved taking pictures and making photo albums of their trips. She loved nature and would never miss out on an opportunity to watch a sunset or a rainbow. At home she would spend hours relaxing at the Christmas tree patch in the backyard that she named her sanctuary.
She was a very creative person. She taught herself how to play the piano and how to paint, painting many beautiful portraits of the things she loved. She cared very much about self-expression and always encouraged all the grandkids to find what it is that they love to do. She tended to her black currant bushes and had such a passion for the health benefits of plants. She studied many natural ways to feed your health and soul. She was a truly very special and unique person.
She bravely fought her illness for over a year and a half and she will sorely be missed by all that loved her so very much.
The family invites you to sign their online guest book at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.