NORMA WHITING

Norma is survived by her four children, Dr. Danny L. Whiting (Cindy) of Sioux City, Iowa, Patricia A. Friederichs of Minnetonka, MN, Marcia J. Thornton (Wally) of Lake Havasu City, AZ and Larry E. Whiting (Shari) of LaVerkin, UT; 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren (2 sets of twins-one girl and one boy); and a sister, Velva Skophammer of Fort Dodge. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gaylord; her parents; 2 sisters, Evelyn Slagenweit and Lois Gilbert; son-in-law, Tim Friederichs and 2 brothers-in-law, Robert Skophammer and Guy Slagenweit.

Norma Virginia VonStein was born January 7, 1920 to parents Clifford Paul and Inez (Burdick) VonStein. Norma remained a life time member of the United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge, (since birth), where she was Baptized, and Confirmed. She was a member of Ruth Circle and Birthday Group, and remained an active member of Chapter EVIII for several years.

Norma attended grade school and Jr. and Sr. High School in Fort Dodge. She graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1938, attended Tobin Business College, and later started working as a local telephone operator at the Fort Dodge Telephone Company. During World War II, Norma started working at the Boston Store for a short time, before going to work for the State Bank, selling Series E Bonds and handling Ration Stamps, and then working in the bookkeeping department. After the war, Norma started working at Kelly Insurance Agency until she married her soul mate Gaylord L. Whiting on April 27, 1947, at the Methodist Parsonage in Fort Dodge. They were both looking forward to celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on April 27, 2012, until Gaylord passed away on December 18, 2011. After marrying Gaylord, Norma didn’t work outside the home again until 1961, when she took employment with Darrah Insurance Agency (later becoming Dowd Insurance Agency) where she remained working until retiring in 1981.

Norma wasn’t one for sitting still, she enjoyed cooking and sharing recipes throughout her lifetime (her family to this day still claim she was the best cook, ever). Spending time with family and doing for others were also some of her most enjoyable times. She enjoyed painting figurines, reading, crocheting afghans for family members, working outside doing yard work, and floral and vegetable gardening. Family vacations and fishing trips to Minnesota, Colorado, and Wisconsin were also among some of her most memorable experiences.

Norma is remembered as a faithful, loving wife and mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and neighbor. While her earthly presence will surely be missed, her strong Christian faith, her unwavering compassion for others, her quiet spirit, and countless acts of kindness will forever remain in the hearts and minds of all who were blessed to have known her.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.