Nora Schuler's Obituary
On December 24, 2004, Nora Schuler left us for GodÂ's heavenly choirs to rejoice and celebrate her life in Christ. Born in Westerose, Alberta, Canada on April 20, 1909, Nora Amalie Grande lived a long and beautiful life richly filled with family and friends.The daughter of Norwegian immigrants, Odin and Jensina Maria Grande, young Nora moved to Pensacola, Florida with her parents and sisters Olga, Phyllis, and Alma. During her years in Pensacola, Nora attended elementary school. With her new sister Martha and brother Otis, NoraÂ's family moved west, temporarily staying in Walden, Colorado. After a year the family continued west and homesteaded near Fort Duchesne, Utah. It was there that Nora spent most of her childhood living amongst the Ute Tribe and other immigrant families who also homesteaded near the fort. Nora attended ninth grade in Roosevelt, Utah. The next year, her family made its last move together to Tacoma, Washington. After arriving in Tacoma, Nora and her family began attending Hope Lutheran Church. Nora graduated from Lincoln High School in 1928. By this time NoraÂ's father had become very ill and was sent to a VeteranÂ's Hospital near Los Angeles, California. Forgoing her turn to attend college and study education, Nora began working to help support her family.In 1929, Nora met a young man, Emil Schuler, who lived with his family in the community of Manitou. On October 18, 1930, Pastor A. Ramstad married Nora and Emil. Together they made their new home in Manitou. On December 24, 1932, they welcomed their first child, Carol Marie, and on January 20, 1942, they welcomed their second child, Noel Gary. Emil worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad while Nora stayed home and raised their family using her remarkable talents in cooking and sewing. Emil retired as Station Master of the Union Pacific Depot in 1970. Both before EmilÂ's retirement and after, Nora and Emil enjoyed many years of traveling to visit family, friends, and far off places including Canada, Norway, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Japan, Taiwan, and Mexico. Together Nora and Emil celebrated their wedding anniversary for 63 wonderful years.NoraÂ's desire to teach would not go unanswered. Nora taught Sunday School to the little children at Hope Lutheran Church for over fifty years. Nora also volunteered as the Superintendent of the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, Church Librarian, Choir Member, and Altar Guild Member. NoraÂ's talent to teach had shown especially when she taught Sunday School to several special needs children on Sundays after the worship service. So great was her faith in God that there was no stewardÂ's task that Nora would not accept willingly and joyfully. In 1980, Lutheran Social Services honored Nora for her years of ministry and dedicated support to Hope Lutheran Church.Nora loved God and loved life. She frequently sang or hummed songs to herself. Ever the optimist, Nora had a great sense of humor and enjoyed playing games with her grandchildren. Her Â"doodlingÂ" was nothing shy of artwork and her stitchery was magnificent. Nora loved watching the birds and squirrels in her garden and loved having EmilÂ's roses on her table. She took great pleasure in entertaining her family after church and enjoyed Sunday drives through the countryside. Nora was always at her door to wave and sent you on your way.Nora leaves behind her loving children, daughter Carol (Frank) Karwoski and son Noel (Janice) Schuler; her devoted grandchildren; Cynthia (Douglas) Chaney, Kimberly (John) Smith, Mark (Stephanie) Schuler, and Bret Schuler; her special great granddaughters Tiffany and Lisa Chaney, Allysha, Emily, and Kaylee Smith, and Amy and Brynn Schuler; her sister-in-law, Volly Grande, and her brother-in-law, Charles Viebrock; and her many nieces and nephews. Nora is predeceased by her husband, Emil Schuler, her parents, sisters Olga Grande, Phyllis Grande McManus, Alma Grande Viebrock, Martha Grande Viebrock, and brother Otis Grande.Viewing will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 30 at Mountain View Funeral Home. NoraÂ's life and devotion will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 31 at Hope Lutheran Church, 7209 S. Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington. The family requests that remembrances be made to Hope Lutheran Church. The family also thanks Pastor Jonathon of Hope Lutheran Church for his service and assistance during NoraÂ's brief and sudden illness.
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