Norma J. Weeber

Norma J. Weeber passed away at the age of 89 on Nov. 12, 2015 due to natural causes. She was preceded in death by her husband Otto Richard Weeber in 2011.

Norma was born Norma Jean Keeler on March 18, 1926 in Perry, Mich. to parents Floyd and Minnie Keeler and sister, Florence Keeler. After an early rural life, Norma and family moved to Lansing, Mich., where she attended public schools, graduating from Lansing Eastern High School in 1944.

After the end of World War II Norma was introduced by a friend to Otto Richard Weeber. This romance bloomed into marriage on June 14, 1946, with Dick and Norma settling in Lansing, Mich.

On Norma’s birthday in 1947 her son Gary was born and they would from that day forward share the same birthday. One year, one week and one day later daughter Dawn was born. While Gary and Dawn were still toddlers, the Weebers moved to the suburban town of Okemos, Mich. where they continued to reside until 1980.

Norma was known as a good student throughout school. After high school she began a long career as a secretary and executive assistant, taking a break for the birth of her children.

After both Gary and Dawn were in school, Norma continued her career, retiring after 25 years from Michigan State University.

Norma is remembered as being somewhat “ahead of her time,” carrying out the challenging dual role of raising children and working full-time. Her organizational skills, planning and instruction of her children became a legacy that both children now reflect.

Dick and Norma were both very active and the family spent most summer weekends camping and enjoying the outdoors.

They were very active in their church and members of the church choir. Square dancing was a hobby for many years with these events often being attended by the whole family. Norma also emphasized the importance of family and of being self-sustaining with the memories of her making many of the clothes for her family remaining today.

In 1980 Dick and Norma took the bold step of packing up all their belongings and moving to Fountain Hills.

They quickly settled into the community and developed many endearing friendships over the next 30 years. The time spent in church activities and social occasions with friends became a priority for them during their retirement years.

Over the years, four grandchildren were born. Daughter Dawn and two children lived primarily in Oklahoma and Florida while son Gary and his family lived in Oregon.

Every year they would host some of their grandchildren, spending grandparent-grandchild time that would cement their loving relationships despite the geographical distance. The expressions of love between grandparents and grandchildren were obvious.

When husband Dick passed away in 2011, Norma moved to Scottsdale. Shortly before her death, Norma moved to Greenville, S.C. to be closer to her daughter, Dawn. A celebration of life service is planned for the spring in Fountain Hills.

Norma is survived by son, Gary (and wife Jodi) in Portland, Ore.; daughter Dawn Carter in Columbia, S.C.; grandson, Ryan Carter (and wife Marianne) in Ridgeway, S.C.; grandson, Brandon Carter (and wife Amy) in Mansfield, Texas; grandson, Adam Weeber in Salem, Ore.; granddaughter, Brooke Weeber in Portland, Ore.; two great-grandchildren in South Carolina; three great-grandchildren in Texas; and three great-grandchildren in Oregon.

She is also survived by a cousin, Jan Adler in Lansing, Mich.