Norma Lucile (Johnson) Smith, 94, passed away from age-related causes at Elwood Care Center, Elwood, Nebraska, on August 30, 2023.
Norma was born in Cambridge, Nebraska on May 17, 1929, and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1946. On November 9, 1947, she married the love of her life – Robert “Bob” Smith. In May 1949, she and Bob moved to a farmstead southeast of Wilsonville, Nebraska, where they resided until retiring to Cambridge, Nebraska in the fall of 1994.
Norma was a kind and thoughtful soul and will be missed and remembered by the many lives she touched. Cooking for and entertaining her family and friends gave Norma great joy. It never seemed to be a chore for her to prepare a feast for invited guests and any others who would happen to stop by for a visit. Norma was especially well known for the delicious cinnamon twists she baked – which she shared with others, and often donated to local causes. She also loved to sew, crochet, and embroider bedspreads, blankets, and quilts. Times spent “spoiling” her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were moments she especially cherished.
Norma is survived by her son, Roger (Linette) Smith; daughters, Barbara (Darrel) Muehling, and Virginia (Mark) Johnson; brothers, Paul Johnson, Phillip (Barbara) Johnson, and Bruce Johnson; and sisters, Sharon Bellamy, Sondra Foster, and Judith Zabel; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren; along with several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Grace Johnson; father, Claude Johnson; and stepmother, Ada Johnson; husband, Robert Smith; son, Michael Smith; infant daughter, Brenda Smith; grandson, Trevor Smith; sister, Donna Miller; and brother, Carl Johnson.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 620 Penn Street, Cambridge, Nebraska, 69022. Pastor Tim Burke will be officiating. A graveside service and interment at Cambridge cemetery will follow the funeral service. A celebration of Norma’s life will take place in the church fellowship hall, following interment. Arrangements for the day are being handled by Lockenour-Jones Mortuary, Cambridge, Nebraska.
Norma’s family wishes to thank the staff and administrators of Elwood Care Center, Elwood, Nebraska, the staff and administrators of Tri-Valley Assisted Living, Cambridge, Nebraska, and Dr. Shiuvaun Jaeger – all of whom provided love and care for Norma in her final years of life.
Memorials may be given to Trinity United Methodist Church.