Norma Jean Larsen (Gross)'s Obituary
Norma Jean Gross was born to Archie and Genevieve Gross on February 4, 1930, in Mitchell, South Dakota. Norma is the oldest of three sisters raised by Archie and Genivieve. The three sisters formed a strong bond and stayed in close contact throughout their lives. Norma is survived by her two sisters, Marilyn Thordarson and Bette Hartman. Norma married her high school sweetheart in September of 1950. Jim and Norma met while attending Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington.
Norma graduated from the Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing in January of 1952. She began her nursing career working in the Emergency Room at Tacoma General Hospital. After a few years at the hospital, she took a job as a nurse in Dr. Hazlerig’s office in Browns Point. She worked there for the remainder of her career and made friendships with coworkers that continued until her death.
She and Jim shared 70 years of marriage before his passing in 2021. They raised two children in their house in south Tacoma and were very active and supportive in all their children’s activities. Jim and Norma participated with their children in Campfire Girls, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Rainbow Girls, Y-Indian Guides, and more. Norma would often return in her dreams to her house on Yakima Avenue in Tacoma. The heart of the home was the kitchen where the family would often gather around the bar while Norma cooked dinner. The house would often smell of fresh cookies baking in the oven.
Norma was an active member of Eastern Star for 42 years.
Norma was the first mate and navigator aboard Argust, a 30 foot yacht that Jim built in the backyard with money he saved by working overtime for the city. Using paper charts and compass, she guided the way for three trips to Alaska. The first trip north started the day after their youngest child married and left the nest.
Shortly after their boating adventures began, Jim and Norma became snowbirds and started spending their winters in Mesa, Arizona. They camped in a travel trailer for several years and then purchased a park model home in Valle del Oro. When all was said and done, Jim and Norma spent more years in retirement than then did in their jobs. They sold their home in Tacoma when Jim retired and bought a house with a view of the water near Longbranch, Washington. Norma was an active member in the Longbranch Fuchsia Society, the Taylor Bay Beach Club, the Tacoma Yacht Club, and the Longbranch Improvement Club. They moved their boat from the Yacht Club in Tacoma to the Longbranch Marina near their home. Summers were spent at the beach house in Taylor Bay and on the boat. Winters were spent in Arizona where Norma was active in many groups doing crafts and needlework. She taught a computer class for several years and helped other seniors learn new software. Jim and Norma sold their properties in Washington and Arizona in 2020 and moved into Bonaventure of Lacey. Bonaventure provided activities and fun that reminded them of their years at Valle del Oro. Norma is survived by her two children, Chris and Jim. She has four grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
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