Norma Leola Repman July 23, 1950 – February 2, 2019 With her husband Bill holding her hands at her bedside, Norma Leola Odell Repman went home to her Holy Father just after sunrise Saturday, February 2, 2019 following a hard-fought battle with metastatic breast cancer. The third daughter of Benjamin B.and Sarah Tyer Odell, Norma was born July 23, 1950. Although she traveled and lived abroad when her father took jobs out of the country, she lived most of her life in La Porte.
Attending La Porte schools, Norma, with her intense loyalty, compassion, and understanding made many life-long friends with whom she continued to share her life after graduating from LPHS, a member of the class of 1968 and San Jacinto College, a charter member of Alpha Theta Kappa, in 1970. Norma married William (Bill) Francis Repman December 29, 1969, in Houston, Texas. Loving to dance, they celebrated life with each other for fifty years.
They raised two sons, Will Repman and Ben Repman. Norma always worked outside the home until her retirement, but she centered her life with her faith and family. Growing up, Norma actively participated in Girl Scouts earning the Gold Award.
Having no girls to follow in her footsteps, she became an active parent involved in her sons’ and grandsons’ Boy Scout endeavors. She enjoyed the scouting activities including the derby races and camping, but she was most deeply moved and proud to attend the Eagle Courts of Honor for her son Will and his sons Spencer and Zander. Norma was truly honored as each recognized her for her part in making them the wonderful men they are today.
Extremely close to both her family and her in-laws, she enjoyed family events celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, marriages, and funerals with each other. Norma felt one of the greatest things in life was being a grandmother–the grandmother of seven, she loved to share their lives and attended ball games, scout meetings, choir, band, and dance performances, and even live-stock shows. She delighted this last Christmas as the little ones opened their gifts and the nieces and their children gathered, shared memories, and spoke of the future as the family all came together for one last celebration.
Norma’s love for her friends was just an extension of her family and faith. A life-long member of the La Porte Community Church. During her membership she served on most committees and participated in most of the church’s activities.
She served as a Sunday School teacher and as assistant to the minister for the confirmation class. She volunteers for Vacation Bible School every year and during that time has mastered every position from being the snack lady to serving as coordinator. She participated as a student of Stephen’s Ministry, Emmaus Walk #33, youth group sponsor, church camp, and Christian Women’s Fellowship.
She appreciated all your prayers. Her final wish was that your prayers send her to heaven so that she could fulfill her bucket list by living in the House of the Lord all of her days. Norma joyfully served her community served her community serving as a poll watcher and election judge for several years for both the city of La Porte and La Port ISD.
She adored her sisters in Beta Sigma Phi–she treasured each and every one of you. An active member of the La Porte Ladies Civic Club, Norma held various offices over the years, but she most especially appreciated the friendship and camaraderie of the other members–many of these relationships began in elementary school when their mothers were friends–their kids call her Aunt Norma. For several years, she worked with Habitat for Humanity.
The family would like to thank all Norma’s friends for the food, the visits, the offers of help, and other support the last few months as they all helped in her battle these last months. It would be impossible to name all of you here, but we know she loved seeing you and that she truly appreciated your love and prayers as do we. We would also like to thank all the doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital for the care, attention, and love they gave to Norma over these last months.
Finally, to the staff and nurses at Houston Hospice, we gratefully appreciate you helping us with the end of Norma’s life. The peace and comfort you offered after her war with the cancer was indeed a blessing. Norma was predeceased by both her maternal and paternal grandparents, her parents Ben and Sarah Odell, her older sister, Sarah Jane Odell Chapman, her mother-in-law Marita Hull Buckholt and her father-in-law, Thomas E. Buckholt.
Continuing to celebrate her life are her husband, William (Bill) Francis Repman; sons William (Will) F. Repman, Jr. and wife Angie, Benjamin Elton Repman and wife Jeanet; grandchildren Spencer Repman, Zander Repman, Riley Repman, Taylor Repman, Piper Repman, Benjamin Repman, and Matthew Repman; her sister Mary Ann Odell Trainer and husbandKeith; nieces Cynthia (Cyndi) Higginbotham Carter husband Danny Joe, Claudia Higgenbotham Hobbs and husband Scott, Amanda Trainer, and Kelly Ann Trainer Policky and husband Kent; great-nieces Alexandra Stoffers and husband Travis, Shelby Policky, and Savannah Policky; great nephews Danny Joe Carter, Jr., (Candace Jackson), Travis Carter, Ethan Berry (Reselle Cabañero), and Murphy Berry; great-great-nephew William Carter; great-great niece Abbigaelle Carter; and God-daughter, PerryLyn (Pip) Kerr Thomas (JJ). Memorial service will be held 2:00 Pm Saturday, February 9, 2019 at LaPorte Community Church, with Pastor Brian Christen officiating.
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