Norma Lee Tanner

Norma Lee Tanner passed away at the age of 89 in Midwest City, OK after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Norma was born on the family farm in Russell Kansas, the second of three children to Julius and Marie Strecker. After one year of college at Ft Hays State, Norma married James L. Tanner in 1951 and they remained married for the next 70 years.

Norma taught elementary school in Derby, KS as her husband finished college after which James joined the USAF. Over the next 27 years Norma was an Air Force wife coordinating over 30 moves all over the world and the US, to include Turkey and Germany. Part of that coordination involved managing three rambunctious sons that arrived in 1955, 1957, and 1961. Norma was the consummate mom that grew to love the sports and school activities in which the three boys were involved. In 1966, while James was serving in Vietnam, Norma volunteered to coach son Jeff’s little league baseball team, which at the time was so rare it made the Wichita newspaper about the “ladies” coaching little league. Norma also enjoyed volunteering at base hospitals and supported base club activities at many of the Air Force bases in which she resided.

After Air Force life and kids out of the house, Norma worked as an insurance claims analyst for the State of Oklahoma until her retirement. Norma loved to play bridge and was an excellent painter, having sold several paintings and providing artwork to her family to enjoy. When the grandkids came along, Norma was a loving grandmother who was thrilled to finally have some girls in the house after raising nothing but boys.

She was predeceased by her mother and father, sister (Wilma Jean), and brother (Don). Norma is survived by her husband James; sons Jim (Susan), Jeff, and Jon (Sharon); grandchildren Rachel, Adam/AJ, Elizabeth, Catherine, Jake, and Lily Tanner; and one great-grandchild, Elijah Washington.

A viewing for Norma will be held from 3:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, 8805 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73141. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 700 N Air Depot Blvd, Midwest City, OK 73110. Burial services will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eisenhourfuneralhome.com for the Tanner family.