Norma Delores (Ezra) Gunnerson
Norma Delores (Ezra) Gunnerson, 83, passed away on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, with her high school sweetheart and husband of 62 years, Samuel Gunnerson, and family at her side.
Norma was born Jan. 31, 1938, in Francesville, to the late Loren and Ellen (Marion) Ezra. She was the first-born child in her family, entering the world just 15 minutes before twin sister Alma. They were later joined by sister Violet, and younger brother Gary.
Norma received her elementary education in a one-room country school taught by her father before attending Francesville High School. She graduated in 1956 and later attended Manchester College in North Manchester, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in education with a focus on elementary education.
Norma married “her Sam” in Buffalo, in 1959. She gave birth to daughter Diana in 1960 and later had two sons, Steven (1966) and Robert (1969). A devoted wife and mother, Norma focused her energies on raising her kids in the safest, warmest and most loving environment any child could ask for. She also had a strong work ethic and held multiple jobs over the years that included teaching in Buffalo and Noblesville, working as a Medicaid claims auditor for a pharmacy group, serving as a receptionist/office manager for a pediatrician, and eventually becoming an executive secretary for Gunnerson Associates, a health care consulting firm she ran with Sam for many years before they both retired.
In addition to time spent in Noblesville, Norma also lived in Indianapolis and Greenwood, before moving west to the Phoenix, Arizona, area after retiring.
In her downtime, Norma enjoyed cross stitching pictures and baby quilts. She volunteered as a 4-H Leader, taught Sunday school to children ages 3 and 4, played piano and was a member of a handbell choir. She was a fan of Olympic ice skating, and she loved animals and reading romance novels. But she was happiest when she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and other family.
Norma passed with immense gratitude in her heart and did everything in her power to fill other hearts with gratitude. She will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her husband Sam Gunnerson; sister Violet Davis; brother Gary [Jeanette] Ezra; her children: Diana [John] Novara, Steve [Sylvia] Gunnerson, Rob [Jen] Gunnerson; and grandchildren: Ethan and Kyle Gunnerson, and Gunni Gunnerson.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and her twin sister Alma.
Services will be held later in 2021 in Indiana as COVID-19 protocols allow.
(Pulaski County Journal — March 3, 2021)