Norma M. Gregory

April 1, 1924 - August 4, 2016

Norma M. Gregory, 92, formerly of Geneva, died August 4, 2016, at Tiffany Square in Grand Island, NE. Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. August 13, 2016 at Farmer and Son Funeral home in Geneva, NE. Mrs. Gregory was born April 1, 1924 at her family’s home in Grand Island, Nebraska to Howard Leo and Anna Elizabeth (Heins) Polzel. The second of five children. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert L. Gregory, one son Robert H. Gregory, and sisters Virginia I. Polzel, Berniece A. (Polzel) Boughn, Velma T. (Polzel) Ostermeier, and Helen L. (Polzel) Steinke and their husbands Richard (Dick) F. Boughn and Kenneth (Ken) L. Steinke. Survivors of the immediate family include daughter-in-law Kathy (Brightwell) Gregory, widow of her oldest son, Robert H. Gregory; sons Norman and wife Susan (Harrison) Gregory of Meridian, ID; Charles and wife Debra (Havel) Gregory of Grand Island, NE; and James (Jim) Gregory of Lincoln, NE; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Norma grew up in Grand Island where she attended Trinity Lutheran School and Grand Island Senior High. After graduating high school she worked as an operator for both Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and later at the Cornhusker Ordinance Plant. On June 21, 1942 Norma was united in marriage to Robert Leroy Gregory at Smith Center, KS. When Robert enlisted in the U.S. Navy, Norma took employment as a civilian employee in the Signal Office for the Army at Camp Hale, Leadville, CO. She later relocated to Seattle, WA to be closer to the port station of husband Robert, taking employment in the Signal Office for the Navy as a code typer. When Robert ended his service with the U.S. Navy they relocated to Geneva, NE. Norma worked in the Fillmore County Courthouse in the Assessors, Treasurers and Clerks offices. At the time of her retirement she was the Fillmore County Deputy County Clerk. In addition to being an avid bowler garnering numerous awards, she and Robert shared many mutual interests. One of those was the considerable collection of iris varieties they amassed. Most significantly was their common love of exploring the wilderness regions of the country while on vacation. In particular they enjoyed many visits to the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. After the birth of their youngest son, Jim, she became a strong advocate for the rights to schooling and programs supporting individuals with special needs. Norma served as a Board Member for Region V Services where she was involved in development and promotion of programs for special needs individuals. She was a quiet, caring and strong mother who endured more of life’s tragedies and loss than a gentle soul such as she should be required. She was a member of the Congregational Church – United Church of Christ, Geneva, NE. Memorial Services for Norma will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2016 at the Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska. Inurnment of ashes will take place at the Geneva Public Cemetery following the Memorial Service. Memorials in lieu of flowers to the Special Olympics of Nebraska (SONE) - Lincoln Shooting Stars.