Norma Louise Michael passed away peacefully on November 23, 2018 with family by her side. She was born in the small town of Ellston, Iowa to Frank and Mary Ellen Gray on July 2, 1925, So close to the Fourth of July, that we felt she was always our “Sparkler”. Norma graduated from Ellston High School in 1943 with honors.
She was active in school activities, played basketball and the coronet in the band. She received her Associates Degree in Business while in college in Des Moines, Iowa. She met her future husband, Frederick Wallace Michael from Pilot Rock, Oregon, through correspondence while he was serving in World War II, and met him face to face for the first time while he was on leave in St. Louis, MO.
Norma and her Mother, Mary, moved to Pendleton to be near Norma’s sister who lived in Pilot Rock, and no doubt be closer to that soldier too. During the war, Norma worked at the Umatilla Army Depot. After the war, Norma and Wallace married in 1946, resided in Pendleton and raised four children, Jim, Ann, Pam and Jeff.
She started a career in bookkeeping at Hamley’s Western Wear, then for several years while her young children were in grade school she did bookkeeping for Stewart’s Grocery store in Sherwood Heights. A talented seamstress, she also made her children’s clothes, including coats and western wear, decorated their home with her cross stitch, crochet and quilting skills. She was a marvelous cook and prepared wonderful meals.
Later she spent several years as a bookkeeper for Ford’s Tire Service. After Ford’s closed, she went to work for the Education Service District (ESD). She loved her job and the people she worked with.
After retirement, she volunteered at the Pendleton Bargain Counter for many years. She loved her bridge clubs, and was still playing with gusto. She had so many close friends and a group that travelled and played together that called themselves the OBBC (Old Broads Birthday Club).
For the past three years, she has resided in a duplex at Sunridge Retirement Center. She genuinely liked living there and grew close to the staff and residents. For years she has been making elaborate, beautiful Christmas ornaments and Christmas stockings for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
We shall always treasure her artwork as we treasure the gift of her. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Doris Vance and Pauline Wood and her husband, Wallace of 68 years. She is survived by her children; James Michael (Cathy) of Hermiston, Ann Schiene, of Spokane, WA, Pamela Harris (Bill) of Albany, OR, Jeff Michael of Hermiston, Step-daughter, Sonya Reedy of Honolulu, HA; 9 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Pendleton Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-Bishop. Following the service, there will be a reception at the Pendleton Convention Center from 3 – 5 p.m. We know you are “sparkling” in heaven as you did on earth.
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