Norma Jean (Knoke) Shepard was born March 7, 1921 in Griswold, Iowa, to Jesse and June (Wright) Knoke.A good student, Norma attended Lewis Grade School and graduated from Griswold High School in 1938.After graduation, Norma worked at the Thomas Murphy Calendar Company in Red Oak, Iowa.While there, she met Elton Shepard from Atlantic who was Working for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).Smitten with each other, they married April 8, 1939. After Elton began work as a draftsman for the Union Pacific in Omaha, they lived in an apartment near 26th & Leavenworth in Saint Peter’s Parish.They moved to their first home at 37th & Maple and became members of Holy Name Parish.In the mid-1960s, they moved to a home at 47th & Bedford, Norma’s residence until she moved to assisted living. Working from home, Norma served as chief financial officer, executive chef, pediatrician, records retention administrator, lead housekeeper, mediator, travel agent, and expert luggage packer. Norma mastered the arts of hugging, loving, and caring for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.She was a patient, tender, and simple person.To have known and loved Norma was a blessing. Norma is preceded in death by her parents; husband Elton; premature son Paul Roger Shepard; grandsons Aaron and Adam Shepard; brothers Dick, Bob, and John Knoke; and sister Shirley (Knoke) Lewis Buffon. Survivors include children Cathy Randall, Tom (Lucile) Shepard, Sue Shepard, Mary (Mike) Bendon, Theresa Shepard, John (Veronica) Shepard; 12 grand- children; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters Mary Muller and Sonia Montgomery; sisters-in-law Betty Knoke, Ann Martin, and Vera Shepard; brothers-in-law Walter Buffon, Jack Martin, and Gerry Montgomery; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In Gratitude:47th & Bedfordstreets “buds”; New Cassel friends and staff; MyKare staff; SilverRidge friends and staff; Dr. Yongge Liu and staff; Dr. William Lowndes and staff; Serene Care Hospice staff and volunteers; Deacon Kevin Joyce. Celebration of Norma’s Life: Monday, March 13, 2017 at 11:00am, with visitation one hour prior to the service, all at Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel) Interment: Calvary Cemetery Memorials to Holy Name Catholic Church or to the charity of your choice Braman Mortuary - Southwest Chapel 6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE68137 402-895-3400
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