Norma Irene (Covault) White

Norma Irene (Covault) White was born on the family farm near North Branch Iowa on September 15th 1921 to Wilbur and Charity (Young) Covault. Norma was the second child (first daughter) of 4 children. She passed away on November 16th 2022 at the age of 101 years 2 months and 1 day.

Norma attended country school at Bear Grove #4 near North Branch. She attended Guthrie Center High school from the 9th grade until she graduated in 1940. During the school week, Norma lived with her grandparents Harry and Maggie (Flynn) Covault in town at the Covault home on 4th St. Weekends and summers she spent at her parents farm doing chores, during the depression. When asked she said "I remember riding horses, picking up corn cobs and feeding the pigs, gathering eggs for Mom." "I got letters from my Grandpa Young about his life. I loved reading them"

Early years Norma worked as a one room schoolhouse teacher and taught her younger siblings along with others. During World War ll, she worked in the Glenn L Martin bomber plant (blue print department) where they built the B 29 airplane in Omaha Nebraska. She was considered one of what they called "Rosie the Riveter ''. Norma also worked at McClellan air force base as a key punch operator in Sacramento, California.

Norma married Gerald Eugene White in Iowa after he returned from the Marines in 1946. They were blessed with three children. Marcia, Lorene and Jim. They bought a grocery store and named it "White's Groceries" in Sheffield Iowa. Norma moved to Colorado and raised her children as a single LOVING mother and worked as a PBX operator before she got her job at IBM until 1987, where she retired in Longmont after 22 years at IBM. The whole time helping with her 7 Grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 2021 she was blessed with and got to meet her Great, Great grandson, 100 years after she was born in 1921, he was born in 2021.

Norma has lived her life dancing and singing with a smile on her face as if she is in another world. First dancing and singing with her older brother Gifford then singing in her early 20's with a group of girls that called themselves "The Singing Canaries" in Omaha Nebraska. Later in life with her "Seniors Rhythm band" entertaining at retirement homes in Longmont and Boulder. Always disco dancing with her son Jim and daughter Lorene and swing dancing with her grandson Victor any chance she got. Norma loved to travel the US with friends and family. Cruises abroad from the Rhine River, to the Panama Canal, to Alaska and Hawaii several times. She loved performing at the Young and Covault reunions. Norma won 2nd place in the Boulder Senior American idol, singing "second Hand Rose" she said "I loved dressing in character for everything"

Left to celebrate her life are her sister Margaret (husband Richard) Daughter Lorene (husband Kevin) Patty (daughter-in-law)

Grandchildren: Lori, Victor (wife Margaret), Rick (wife Cherry), Eric (wife Kathy), Ryan, Cameron (partner Cara), Chelsey (partner Jeremy).

Great Grandchildren: Tanner (partner Cody) Brooke (partner Conner) Mackenzie, Easton, Everly.

Great great grandson: Finnegan

Also a large family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Norma was preceded in death by her Grandparents, parents, Brother Gifford (wife Ruth), Brother Rex (wife Judy), daughter Marcia and son Jim.

Norma was full of life. A caring mother who loved all her family and friends. She took care of herself, was blessed with her health and to be able to live in her own home and apartment. Where she made her stained glass, oil painting and loved to crochet. She was a wonderful role model on how to be an independent, healthy woman all through her life. Walking around the lake every day, stopping at every open house, riding her bike into her 80's. She sang all the time and said her favorite songs were "Summertime" "Sentimental Journey", "the songs I wrote, (When you went away) and (Away we go on a merry-go-round) "OH yeah, all Christmas carols". "Remember me when you sing at Christmas time."

"I wanted to put (I knew this would happen) on my headstone. My daughter Lorene said she thought that would put a smile on everyone's face when they visit my grave. Then she said she wanted to write (but I'm still dancing) after it. We agreed, laughed and had it set in stone" "I also want to thank my parents, without them this would have never happened."

"I want to be remembered every time you see a rainbow."

Our hearts are sad with the loss of our beloved Mother. The Mother who loved abundantly and gave us a wonderful life filled with joy that we will always remember.

Thank you Lord for the life of Norma (Covault) White

“We will miss you Mom / Gramma, till we meet again, Keep dancing.”