Norma Ruth Zemke

October 31, 1930 ~ February 13, 2023

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

but to Your name goes all the glory,

for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.”

(Psalm 115:1)

Norma Ruth Zemke (nee Newman), 92, of Edmonton Alberta, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on the morning of February 13, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital~Hospice Unit, with family at her side.

She was born on October 31,1930 to Alexander and Susanna Newman (nee Ertman) in south Edmonton, at her Auntie Olga’s house with her grandmother Rosalie Neumann attending as midwife. She was the fifth child of eight children, six of whom survived into their senior years.

Norma grew up in Onoway, AB, as well as Cherhill, AB

---- and south Edmonton. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Trinity Lutheran Church, and graduated from Strathcona High School (now Old Scona Academic High School), both within blocks of where she had been born.

Norma had a number of jobs over the course of her life. The highlight was working for Dr. Norman Thomas. She retired after almost two decades of very happy employment in his dental practice on Whyte Avenue. But her true vocation was being "Frau Pastor", faithfully serving the Lord by supporting her husband Bert in his ministry. They served churches in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Quebec, and later, in his home-based teaching and prayer ministry.

She was a wonderful homemaker, and truly loved planning and serving celebration meals, always setting a beautiful table. Norma especially enjoyed camping. The Zemke family pulled their little tent trailer all over Canada and America, often vacationing with the Jahn family. These were very special times. In later life, she became an avid knitter, after years of sewing for the family.

Norma was beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, Grandma, Auntie, and friend. She is survived by: daughter and son-in-law, Faye & Malcolm Wiebe; granddaughter Madeleine Plomp and husband Kevin, and grandson Gregory Wiebe; brother Gordon Newman and wife Audrey; and sister in-law Rose-Marie Newman, along with many nieces and nephews.

Many dear friends in Canada, America, and Europe, whom she cherished through the years, also mourn her loss.

Norma was predeceased by: husband Rev. Bert Zemke and son Dr. Myles Zemke; parents Alexander and Susanna Newman; infant brother Stanley and young sister Agnes Rose; brothers, sisters, and in-laws: Rupert Newman, Clarence Newman and wife Terry, Edith Lorenscheit and husband Egon, and Sylvia Lange and husband Eric; sister-in-law Ruth Jahn and husband Alfred; and nephews Mark Lorenscheit and Duane Newman.

Thanks be to God for His unfailing love and faithfulness to Norma, which He graciously bestowed upon her throughout her life. And thanks be to God for gifting Norma to us. Norma loved deeply, and she was deeply loved. She will be dearly missed, but we take consolation that our precious Norma is now resting in perfect peace, gathered to her people, and that we will see her again. To Him be all the glory.

A very special thank you to Rev. Neil Stern for his faithful and compassionate ministry to Norma and the family, to Dr. Michael Poitras, who provided dedicated medical care to Norma for two decades, right up to her admission to hospice, and to all the staff at St. Joseph’s who so gently cared for Norma during her final weeks.

A private funeral and interment has taken place. She has been buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Sherwood Park, AB.