Hester Irene Somero Lampinen

Hester Irene Somero Lampinen, 92, of Ashby, MA peacefully passed away at the Life Care Center in Leominster MA on July 27, 2021.

Hester was born in Highland Park, Michigan on April 20, 1929, to Michael and Maria (Jaara) Somero. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan and was the youngest of nine children. She later moved to the Upper Peninsula and graduated from Chassell High School in 1947. She was a secretary for the Veteran’s Administration and a doctor’s office. Hester also worked as a JCPenney’s store clerk before marriage.

Hester married her lifelong sweetheart, Bernard Lampinen, on April 23, 1949, in Atlantic Mine, Michigan. Hester and Bernard lived in Chassell, MI before settling in Ashby MA in 1963. They spent seventy-two happy years building a family Hester adored and took great pride in raising each of their eleven children.

Hester’s family continued to grow larger with the addition of sixty- one grandchildren, one hundred and fifty-five great-grandchildren, and thirty great- great- grandchildren. She found great joy in having the grandchildren over for sleepovers, treating them with trips to McDonalds and sending them birthday cards. Her pleasant personality, servant heart and witty sense of humor will be missed by everyone who knew her. She enjoyed writing poetry, keeping a “funny book” of comical things her small children said, solving word puzzles, summertime berry picking, and handing out two-dollar bills to everyone she loved. Hester was famous for her delicious pasties and double frosted chocolate cake. She was a member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in New Ipswich, NH for 58 years. Most of all she loved her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Hester is survived by her husband, Bernard Lampinen and her children, Kathleen (Alvan) Traffie of New Ipswich NH, Timothy (Sandra) Lampinen of Rindge NH, Joy (Timothy) Krook of New Ipswich NH, Michael (Carolyn) Lampinen of Lecanto FL, Beth (Peter) Krook of Taylors SC, Bonnie (Bruce) Somero of New Ipswich NH, Jana (Amos) Seppala, Daniel (Melissa) Lampinen, and Eric Lampinen all of Greer SC, and Nathan (Julie) Lampinen of New Ipswich NH.

Hester was preceded in death by her parents, her eight siblings (Helen, Pearl, Hilda, Walter, Alfred, Wilbert, Wilhart, Deborah) and just three months ago her daughter Jill (Matthew) Traffie. Also, a grandson Braden Somero and a great- great granddaughter Esther Traffie. She is survived by a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be held for Hester on Sunday August 1, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. at The Apostolic Lutheran Church, 117 Goen Rd., New Ipswich, NH, 03071. A funeral service will follow at 3:30 P.M. Committal will take place immediately after the service at Smithville Cemetery, Binney Hill Rd., New Ipswich, NH, 03071.