Norma was born in Monticello, Illinois. She was a farm girl who loved horses. She also loved John Wayne and all of his movies (rumor has it that if John had made himself available Joe was out of luck). She was a seamstress and routinely made clothes for her family. She had a head for business and successfully ran the Frontier Gun Shop in North Park for years. She was active in the PTA, Little League, Cub Scouts and Backyard Swim. She loved family camping trips to the desert or the local mountains.
Most of all she loved and was very proud of her family.
She is preceded in death by her son Kenny and survived by her Mother Alvena, Husband Ronald (Joe) and Sister Ginger as well as Son Jeff and Daughter Jodi
Grandchildren; Enrique, Tori, Jordan, Taylor, Ben, Riley, Jill, Jeffery, Kenny, Corina
Great Grandchildren; AJ, Sebastian, Caleb, Silas, Isaac, Landon, Henry, Kansas, Nobel, Lilah, Olly, Benson, Emma Lynn (Emmi), Jenson, Orsen, Vera, Xzavier, Kenneth, Laylah and Eden.
We all loved her and will miss her.
Thoughts and feelings from her family
Enrique;
No sweet ol’ lady was my Grandma….Blonde and brash, from whom I learned curse words – whether behind the counter at the gun shop, haggling in a New Mexico flea market, or snacking on mini-chocolate chip cookies dipped in Cool Whip as she caught me up on the ins and outs of her favorite soap opera – my Grandma was for those that belonged to her. Glad I was one.
Tori;
I was always proud to be an Ilene. It made me feel special to have that connection with my Grandma. We were alike in our German hips and stubbornness. Being an Ilene is so much of who I am.
(Ronald) Jeffery;
I’m gonna miss her laugh, her smile and the way she loved us all unconditionally. She was a very loving Grandma who would do anything for us.
Jeff;
I remember
Her holding me when I was small. Comforting me when I was injured (which was often).
Family dinner when we had very little and dinner was “potato soup”. Which was potatoes with milk and white bread. Or fried bologna.
Her new shag carpet that I had to “rake” to keep it fluffy. She was very proud of that carpet.
Her teaching us to swim in Mrs. Breidenstiens backyard pool.
She was team Mom for Little League more times than I can count. She kept score also.
She was unwavering in her devotion and love for her family.
She had a quick wit and was not afraid to use it.
Jill;
I will miss Granny’s advice, her sense of humor, our long talks, the way she loved my kids & I unconditionally. I could call her for any reason and she would always be there. She always stood up for us and made sure we knew we were loved and cared for. She was one of my best friends and will be greatly missed.
Paul;
Norma was loving and kind. Best Mother-in-law a guy could ever ask for. It was fun to talk sports with her. She knew her stuff!
Jordan;
My favorite thing about Grandma was that I could always talk to her about anything. She was so loving and the best listener.
Taylor;
The greatest thing about Grandma was the comfort that I felt whenever she was around.
Jodi;
Mom was always the straight man to Dads jokes, the strong supporter of her kids, the quiet presence of comfort and always the proud Grandma and Great Grandma. She taught us to be strong and faithful through her example.
We love you Mom!!!
Riley;
Grandma taught me my birth stone. She would gift each of her grandkids a ring with our birth stone. I was so excited to graduate from 6th grade to get my Peridot ring. It made me feel so grown up. It was the first ring I had ever received. I always loved Grandmas rings and was so happy and excited that she was giving me one.
Ben;
It’s an interesting thing trying to organize memories of someone. Having never done this sort of thing before, where to begin? The Easter egg hunts, Christmas Eve and New Years traditions, a vague memory of my dad opening an NES for his birthday from Grandma and Grandpa which then obviously leads to memories of the many sleep overs and hours with Mario and shuffling around Yoshi’s Cookies. Oh, and Rolling Thunder of course, one of my favorite original NES games discovered at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. We can probably blame it on Grandma the crippling love of video games that I have. My dad too, maybe, but he is her son, so…….
I suppose though that if I really think about it what stands out are a series of memories tied up in one from my life in baseball. There was time in high school my dad had a conversation with someone about who was in the stands. This person was commenting on the various kids and noting which one’s families occupied the most seats, tying this to which kids seemed the most grounded. Of course I was no saint then and had some rough patches transitioning into college, but when I think back on my baseball days at the forefront are images of my family watching. I remember Grandma and Grandpa there together, many many times at SDSU with a little AJ running around. I think of that and I look around now and notice how many successful families we have down their line. I’d say there’s a pretty good legacy happening and if my current math is correct there are 14 great grandkids to help carry it along. I know that for me and my house memories will continue and holiday traditions will be adopted with stories of where they come from.
“You see kids, there once was this old lady who didn’t care much how people felt about what she said….”
Love you Grandma.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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