The Life of NORMA JEAN ELDRIDGE
Norma Jean Eldridge, 86, passed from her long and eventful life at Bright Kavanagh House on Saturday, March 5, 2011, following a short-lived residence at the Carlisle Care Center.
Norma was born and raised on the family farm near Attica, Iowa, to Everett Pearl and Olive Alice (Spaur) Mallory. She was a graduate of Attica High School where she lettered in basketball and participated in school plays.
While most of her life was devoted to the care and nurturing of her husband, children, her parents, her grandchildren and the children of extended family, she spread her wings upon retirement and discovered a love of travel, enjoying the diversity of many countries and cultures.
Norma was in retail accounting for a number of years (Taylor’s, Miller Whol) and retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa. She was a devoted member of the Eastside Church of the Nazarene, where she lent her voice to the choir and deeply enjoyed the companionship of her church family and friends.
Throughout her long life she made abundant use of her artistic talents creating a variety of needlework, painting, and tailoring projects, making many of her own beautiful clothes. She enjoyed doing a variety of puzzles and spent many hours working jigsaw puzzles with her adoring great grandchildren.
Those left to cherish her memory include: her sister Loretta (David) Meissner of Ann Arbor, Michigan; three daughters Linda Ladd, Carolyn Danielson, and Donna (Dodd) Postma, Des Moines, Iowa; son James (Janet) Maddy, Macomb, Michigan; step-daughters Joni (Wendell) Kaldenberg and Janet Kappelman; step-sons Robert (Michelle) Eldridge and Jack (Shelena) Eldridge; six grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and loving friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband John “Jack” Eldridge, brothers Dale (Norene) and Donald (Regina) Mallory, grandsons Craig Fyfe and Chad Kappelman, and great-granddaughter Regan Maddy.
Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. A service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at the Eastside Church of the Nazarene, 1451 E. 25 Street. Interment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude for the loving care and gentle concern shown to Norma by the staff at New Horizons Adult Day Center, Carlisle Care Center, where she was affectionately called Norma Jean the Beauty Queen and Bright Kavanagh House.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Horizons Adult Day Center in Ankeny, Iowa, or Hospice of Central Iowa.