SALEM – Norma Josephine Newton Gardner, 80, died peacefully on the evening of April 19, 2010, at Harmony Home in Salem. She was visited by many family members, and surrounded by her loving daughters, Linda, Susan, Nancy and Janet, and sister Phyllis and niece, Linda, both from Indiana at the time of her passing. Family was the most important thing in her life and she found such joy in sharing their thirst for knowledge and passion for life with all of us.
Born July 15, 1929, in Rosedale, Ind., this Indiana farm girl worked several summer jobs while attending Prairie Creek High School, where she played trombone in the band and twirled baton as a majorette. She was a lifelong lover of all animals including her childhood pet rooster, Buttercup. After High School graduation in 1947 she attended IBM School where she learned key punch operation. She was also a graduate of Arthur Murray School of Dance. While on a blind double date, she met her future husband. Norma married Army Lt. Lloyd G. Gardner at Central Presbyterian Church, Terre Haute, Indiana, Sept. 6, 1951, and began her life as a military wife of 26 years which took her to various citied across the U.S., including Aberdeen Proving Ground M.D., Ft. Rucker, Ala., Puerto Rico, Vernonia, Ore., and Salem, Ore. At every post, as her family grew, she made a safe and loving home for her children. She made sure her girls became involved in activities such as baton twirling, tap dancing, guitar and Girl Scouts, even becoming a Girl Scout leader herself. Swim lessons were a priority as she always jokingly told us, she could only “sink to the bottom of the pool like a turtle, laughing all the way.” She took on all the duties and responsibilities for the family as her husband served his country doing tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam. Upon LTC Lloyd G. Gardner’s retirement in 1969, the family remained in Salem where they were members of the First Presbyterian Church. Some of Norma’s many varied interests and hobbies included gardening, reading and collecting books, baking, sewing, square dancing, ceramics, crafts and bingo: you wouldn’t want to waste your time playing against her!
Norma was preceded in death by husband, LTC Lloyd Gordon Gardner, Ret., to whom she was married 46 years; her father, Stanley Overton Newton Sr.; mother, Elfreda Josephine Daugherty Newton; brother, Stanley Overton Newton Jr.; and sister, Eileen Justin Beaven. Norma is survived by her sister, Phyllis Maxine Newton; daughters, Linda and husband Paul Brna, Susan and Ken Engstrom III, Nancy and Dr. Frank Balke, Janet Gardner; grandchildren, Jennifer and husband Dan Green, Ken Engstrom IV and wife Karen, Kimberly Brna, Teresa Brna, Anacka and Husband Eric Kominek, Koert Balke and wife Laurie; great-grandchildren, Alexis Green, Conner Kominek, Chase Kominek, Logan Balke; nephews, John Newton, Bruce Newton, Terry Newton; niece, Sharon Rader; cousin, Donald Kuykendall.
Viewing will be held at 9:00 am with a Funeral service at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, 605 Commercial St. SE, Salem, followed by burial at 11:15 am at City View Cemetery, 690 Hoyt St., Salem.
Norma was a loving caregiver to numerous relatives including her husband, Lloyd. It was a miracle that at the end of her life she was cared for by two earthly angels who gracefully guided the end of her life’s journey.
In lieu of flowers, contributions/donations may be made to Harmony Home (End of Life Care) in care of Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.