Norma Lea (Sharp) KVINDLOG

SHARP, KVINDLOG, ORR, PELL, TOURTELOTTE, LABARR

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:01

October 19, 1933 ---- May 18, 2018

Norma Lea (Sharp) Kvindlog, 84, of Cedar Rapids, went to be with her Lord on Friday, May 18, 2018, following a brief illness. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26, at New Covenant Bible Church.

Norma was born Oct. 19, 1933, in Clarion, Iowa, to Walter and Lillian Sharp. She graduated from Clarion High School in 1951, where she was a cheerleader and played trumpet in band. It was in band where she fell in love with her husband, Don, and accepted his marriage proposal upon her graduation. She loved working as a telephone operator until she married a year later at the age of 18. She experienced her first three years of marriage as a Navy wife at the Memphis Naval Air Station. Later, she performed secretarial work for the hospital administration graduate program at the University of Iowa. She never tired of taking shorthand. Norma also enjoyed immigrating to Toronto, Canada, with her family, where they lived for four years.

Norma is survived by her husband of 66 years, Don; and a son, David (Beth, who Norma referred to as her "daughter-in-love"); and their five children, Bryce (Catherine), Anna, Stenner, Elise and TJ; and Leanne Orr (Mark, Norma's "son-in-love") of Colorado Springs, and their children, Tyler, Kelsey Pell (Matt) and Micah. Norma is also survived by her two great-grandchildren whom she adored, 20-month-old Mckenzie Kvindlog and 16-month-old John Pell. She is also loved by many nieces and nephews. Family was so important to her. She was preceded in death by her parents and her two sisters, Phyllis Tourtelotte and Shirley LaBarr.

Norma was a terrific wife, mother, friend, leader, author and popular speaker. She was very active at New Covenant Bible Church for 60 years, where she served as coordinator of Women's Ministries, led many home Bible studies and was a mentor to many. She served as area representative for Christian Women's Club, where she spoke at over 100 luncheons throughout the region. She also volunteered at the Mercy Medical Center Welcome Desk for many years.

Norma co-authored a book titled "Beyond Me: a Christ-Centered Approach to Self-Esteem," published by Tyndale House Publishers in 1987, and taught many classes on biblical self-esteem and parenting. Norma liked cooking, playing the piano, singing, sewing, quilting, biking, reading, gardening and observing wildlife that frequented her bird feeders and pond. Norma led a very active lifestyle despite having both hips replaced 15 years ago. She ran a half marathon at the age of 51 and faithfully exercised three times a week for 30 years.

Upon Don's retirement, Norma joined him in a rewarding RV lifestyle for 14 years visiting every state, traveling 128,000 miles and spending a total of five years (1,785 nights) in the RV. She loved Don's "number crunching" and his ability to keep precise records. For the past 20 years, they wintered in Naples, Fla. She cruised to Alaska, the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal. She toured Europe and visited Don's relatives in Norway. A favorite phrase of hers was "been there, done that!" Norma led a fulfilling life and her legacy has impacted hundreds.

The family wishes to thank Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home for their assistance in making arrangements. Memorials in Norma's name may be directed to New Covenant Bible Church or Samaritan's Purse, in lieu of flowers.

May 22, 2018
The Gazette -- Cedar Rapids, Iowa