Norma Graves 1924 - 2018

GRAVES, RAGER, VASSAR

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/12/2018 at 22:49:56

Sioux City Journal
31 October 2018

Norma Graves, 94, formerly of South Sioux City, peacefully entered eternal life on Oct. 28, 2018, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in South Sioux City. Burial will be in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m., and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Norma was born Feb. 22, 1924, in Walthill, Neb., the daughter of John and Ollie (Rager) Vassar. She attended schools in Dakota City and Walthill. She graduated in 1941 from Walthill and sang Ave Maria as valedictorian at the ceremony. She immediately entered the workforce at the Thurston County Attorney’s office and later the First National Bank in Walthill.

During World War II, she moved to Monrovia, Calif., where she and her cousin, Fernie, worked at the Schenley Distillery, which necessitated a two-hour train ride to and from work. Norma returned to South Sioux City and worked for her Aunt Dora Lucart’s Uptown Café from 1943-1954. In that café, she met the love of her life, Donald J. Graves, when he returned from the war. They dated for many years and married in 1955.

In May 1954, Norma began employment with Joe Morton and Son, working until 1959 when she left to take care of their first child, son Kelly and later, daughter Jean Marie. During this time she set up her home office and became the bookkeeper for their family business, Graves Construction Company. Don passed away Oct. 16, 1973. In 1977, she returned to work with Joe Morten at Great West Casualty Company where she worked until 1993. She was a charter member of Siouxland National Bank and served on its board for 19 years.

Norma was a woman of great faith and a lifelong member of St. Michael’s parish in South Sioux City. She was a member of the altar society and the choir. She served on the parish council and the school board. She was a volunteer in the classroom, on the playground, for church dinners, and of fall festivals until she was 90.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Jean Marie and son-in-law, Brad Moore of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; her grandchildren, Katie, Megan, Rachel and Ryan; a sister, Vicki (Ron) Hoffman of Charles City, Iowa; and many very dear nieces, nephews and cousins.

Waiting to greet her in heaven are her husband Don; her son, Kelly; her parents; her stepfather, Warren Berger; her brother, Bud Vassar and her stepbrother, Robert Berger.

Norma will be remembered as the loving matriarch of her family and center of all family gatherings. She was an amazing cook, a beautiful dancer, and an avid bridge player. She loved a sing-a-long and was always the life of the party. Her wit, wisdom, sass, style and smile will be greatly missed.

Norma’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. TJ Wente, Father Dennis Meinen, the Holy Spirit Sisters, and all the loving caregivers and staff at Holy Spirit Retirement home for the exceptional physical, emotional and spiritual care she received on her walk to eternity.

A memorial in Norma’s name will be made for Holy Spirit Retirement Home.