BIRD, Norma Ilene (Flaucher) 1931-2019

BIRD, FLAUCHER, SHORT, FALCK, VERBECK

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 12/13/2019 at 09:31:02

Biography

Norma Ilene Bird, 88, of Waterloo, Iowa, died December 9, 2019 at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center.

She was born on February 18, 1931 in Lamont, Iowa; the daughter of Amos B. and Florence E. (Short) Flaucher.

Norma attended Hazleton Charity Flat School District No. 8. one-room school until 8th Grade, she graduated from Hazleton High School in 1949. She went on to earn multiple degrees from Iowa State Teachers College (Formerly The State College of Iowa and currently The University of Northern Iowa). A one - year Limited Elementary Certificate to teach school through the 8th grade in the early1950’s. Then in 1953, Norma received a Diploma in elementary education and was issued a Standard Elementary Teachers Certificate, in 1961, a BA in Elementary Education and received her Master’s Degree (Education) in 1966. Permanent Professional Certificate in 1967 from the State of Iowa Board of Public Instruction.

Norma married Dr. Richard James Bird on June 9, 1956 in Waterloo, he preceded her in death on December 30, 1999.

Norma taught a combination 3rd and 4th Grade class at Brandon Iowa for one year. She taught at Orange Township for four years, after 1953’s Diploma and Standard Elementary Teachers Certificate. In 1958 she continued her teaching career by transferring to the Waterloo Community Schools. She was almost exclusively at Castle Hill and Edison Schools, usually as a second grade teacher. Norma retired from Edison in 1996

There were various summer or seasonal jobs sprinkled throughout her early 1950’s college years which altered the timing of Diploma and Certificate receipt. This included a somewhat trying time on the switch board at DX Sunray Oil Co. where she could not tell one caller from another and automatically know who to connect them with. Everyone got mad at her for having to identify themselves and with whom they wished to speak.

She fared better at the Stationary Counter on the main floor of Black’s Department Store. Every sale had to be authorized by the Floor Walker and sent through the Tube System to the Finance Department. She impatiently waited for the change and receipt to come back for the customer. Remember to thank them for their business and kindly request that they please come again.

Norma spent summers at the Gates Park Playground doing craft projects with the neighborhood children. This was more to her liking except for occasionally having to be there on hot and humid days. The rain was not always a bad thing if it provided some relief from the heat. Fortunately, there was a shelter to seek refuge in.

Norma received numerous professional honors including, Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, membership is limited to the top 20% of those entering the field of education. Its motto is "Knowledge, Duty, Power," and its mission is to sustain an honored community of diverse educators by promoting excellence and advancing scholarship, leadership, and service.

The State of Iowa Board of Public Instruction presented that Norma having completed five years of approved collegiate preparation and four years of successful teaching experience was issued a Permanent Professional Certificate. That entitled her to perform throughout life as certified in any public or private school in Iowa as of 31, January 1967. Distinguished Partner in the Teacher Education Program with Meritorious Service to the Associate Teaching Experience having more than 50 student teachers from The University of Northern Iowa and Upper Iowa University. Certificates of Appreciation from the Waterloo Community Schools for service and cooperation to Partners in Education.

Norma believed that whatever is done must be in the child’s best interest. She worked with children having varying learning abilities. Ten years preceding retirement with hearing-impaired students and a full–time interpreter in her classroom. The interpreter signed, by hand sign language, everything Norma said.

She kept a variety of plants in her classroom during the school year. Took samples of flowers and shrubs growing around her historic home for the children to see. This included wild rose, bridal wreath, snowball, lilac, Lilly of the Valley, Tiger Lilly, fern, and Milkweed which would attract Monarch butterfly in different stages of their life cycle. Mulberry, Raspberry, and Black Walnut were also available to create “Learning Moments” for the children. An old empty wasp’s nest might even be found, at the end of the season, and of interest to the children for show and tell.

Norma worked with the other 2nd grades to bake Pumpkin Pie with the children around Thanksgiving time. The Principal was a hunter and would bring pheasant. This helped the children understand what was available for the first Thanksgiving.

She was “The Clown Lady” at the annual Castle Hill Fun Fair. Wore a clown costume and makeup similar to “Mombo” from the Dr. Max Show. She walked around during the fair with a bunch of balloons and would give you one for the fair price of a ticket or token.

She knew many ways to fix knotted shoe strings, fix stuck zippers, thread pulled out hood tie strings on jackets, and correct an array of other wardrobe malfunctions. This would require different size and shaped pens and pencils, very pointed scissors that nobody should run with, crochet hooks, and anything else she could find that got the job done.

Go! Go! Don’t be late for the bus!

She did MUCH of this with red high heel shoes on during her tenure at Castle Hill.

Norma also enjoyed vegetable gardening of tomatoes and pole beans. Canning – especially peaches and pickles. Baking pies including rhubarb, pumpkin, mulberry, and pecan. She liked to watch real life murder mysteries and used to do jigsaw puzzles. She always enjoyed reading for learning and informational purposes. This included looking at cook books more than doing the actual cooking itself.

Norma is survived by her son, Robert William Bird of Waterloo

Preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dr. Richard; a brother, Lawrence “Jack” Flaucher; and two sisters, Marlys Verbeck and Velma Falck

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Services:
Monday, December 16, 2019 at Kearns Funeral Service, Waterloo, Iowa

Cemetery:
Burial in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

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SOURCE: Kearns Funeral Service