Memories of Barbara Jean Norman

Beulah, MI, USA

Barb was always willing to do what was ever asked of her! She treated everyone with love and compassion! It’s been way to long since we had talked to or seen our friend! We’ve missed her! Rest In Peace dear friend!❤️Love, Dee Lathwell and Elaine Putney.

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Lara Norman-Kehe

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Diane Frank

McWay Falls, Big Sur, CA, USA

Barb was the greatest nurse we ever had. Her and Skylar were always in party mode. Thank you God for Barb and a life well lived.

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Lara Norman-Kehe

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Lara Norman-Kehe

You were, without a doubt, my mom's second family. She loved you all dearly. You were, without a doubt, my mom's second family. She loved you all dearly. You were, without a doubt, my mom's second family. ... Read more

Keslinn Kohfeld-Stout

Barb cared for my four children at a time when they were multiple handfuls. And she did so with love, gentleness, and a determination few people could have mustered. She was an amazing woman, and I am thankful to have shared a portion of this life journey together.

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Lara Norman-Kehe

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Lara Norman-Kehe

She loved your kids and felt like she was part of your extended family. And if I remember correctly, your... Read more She loved your kids and felt like she was part of your extended family. And if I remember correctly, your kids called her Grandma... Read more She loved your kids and felt like she was part of your... Read more

Keslinn Kohfeld-Stout

Yes. They called her Grandma Barb. Yes. They called her Grandma Barb. Yes. They called her Grandma Barb.

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Julia Leshinsky

I really like this picture I really like this picture I really like this picture

Lara Norman-Kehe

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Jill Snelling-Rodriguez

I remember her infectious laugh and her devotion to her family. She was always there to help with church activities for our kids. She was woven into all of my memories of those sweet days at First Congregational Church.

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Lara Norman-Kehe

Her support with the children's program at church was invaluable. She was there for it all, and loved being... Read more Her support with the children's program at church was invaluable. She was there for it all, and loved being a part of it. Her support with the children's program at church was... Read more

Dee Lathwell

Lara, Greg and families. I was so shocked when I saw the photo of your mom and that she had passed! (Lara, you had sent to Blaine Church.) Thank you so much for sharing! When I reached out to you and Greg a few months ago, I had no idea you guys were going through this! When your family lived in Beulah, Barb, Mary Lee Putney, Gwen Lathwell, Elaine Putney and I were all close friends! Your mom even typed one of our Blaine Cookbooks for the church! Your mom was a very special friend! I feel bad we lost touch! Sounds like she led a very full and happy life! It was always like Barb to put others first!!!❤️ Rest In Peace , dear friend!🙏🏻 Dee Lathwell

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Lara Norman-Kehe

The Lathwell and Putney ladies were very special friends to my mom when she lived in Frankfort & Beulah. ... Read more The Lathwell and Putney ladies were very special friends to my mom when she lived in Frankfort & Beulah. You were all very important... Read more The Lathwell and Putney ladies were very special friends... Read more

Pam Thebo

My mom, Susan Dunn was the oldest of the 10 siblings. I remember my mom was mistaken for Aunt Barb by one of her friends when we up to their home in Beulah. Mom and Aunt Barb looked very much a like. They were not just sisters but close friends. Aunt Barb would stay with mom many times when she came and visit. I remember when Greg got married and we drove to Maryland with mom. Aunt Barb and mom were able to room together. They were like high school girls on a sleep over. My mom will miss her deeply.

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Lara Norman-Kehe

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Lara Norman-Kehe

Yes, they were always very, very close. Yes, they were always very, very close. Yes, they were always very, very close.

Pam Thebo

Aunt Barb with great nephew, Jon. At the races

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Pam Thebo

Aunt Barb trying scrapbooking

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Lara Norman-Kehe

I think that was a scrapbook she made me following my wedding. I think that was a scrapbook she made me following my wedding. I think that was a scrapbook she made me following ... Read more

Pam Thebo

1989, Sand Lake, MI, USA

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Lara Norman-Kehe

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Pam Thebo

I was going through grandma's, Ardith Robinson-Karasinski memoirs and things she wrote about Aunt Barb. She wrote.....
Barbara was born June 28, 1948. She was born over at Edna and Algie's place in Sand Lake. I stayed in bed a week and went back to mothers. We lived a few more months with mother then Andy found a basement house on 60th Street in Grand Rapids. ........
Another time Shirley and Barbara decided they would go into the dog coop. So sure enough they got in there. Inside was a bee's nest. They were getting stung and the both of them tried to get out at the same time. It looked as if the sides were being pushed out, but we did get them out. They were stung pretty bad. By the time I got through putting soda paste on them they looked pretty funny. I didn't dare laugh because they hurt......
Barbara graduated in 1966. She was married a week after she got out of school. She married Andy Norman. They went to live in Lansi g where he was going to college. They lived there until the next year. From Lansing they moved to Suttons Bay. They had two children, Lara and Greg.

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Lara Norman-Kehe

The bee story reminded me of a story when the kids were playing in TAR, I believe. Oh my! (PS - My parents... Read more The bee story reminded me of a story when the kids were playing in TAR, I believe. Oh my! (PS - My parents married about 2... Read more The bee story reminded me of a story when the kids ... Read more

Pam Thebo

Aunt Barb embroidered the Prayer "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" a baby quilt for my mom when she was pregnant with me and she then used this same pattern embroidering a wall print when I was pregnant with my son, Stephen. She gave the pattern to me when she moved to PA, so I can create this same print when Stephen has his first child. I stll have both items and will hand it to my first grandchild when the time comes. What a wonderful heirloom.

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Phyllis Norman-McIntyre

She made that now I lay me down to sleep wall hanging for me when I was pregnant, too. I still have it. She made that now I lay me down to sleep wall hanging for me when I was pregnant, too. I still have it. She made that now I lay me down to sleep wall hanging... Read more

Lara Norman-Kehe

She made a "Now I Lay Me Down" quilt for Alex, too. Both kids used it, and it has been saved for my grandchildren,... Read more She made a "Now I Lay Me Down" quilt for Alex, too. Both kids used it, and it has been saved for my grandchildren, someday. ... Read more She made a "Now I Lay Me Down" quilt for Alex, too.... Read more

Phyllis Norman-McIntyre

In the summer of '72, when Barb was hugely pregnant with Greg, Andy, Barb and Lara lived with us. It was in late June or early July. Barb and I were sitting in the living room eating ice cream. Barb was using her stomach as a table for her bowl of ice cream and Greg apparently did not like it one bit because he either kicked or punched that bowl right off her stomach. We both looked at each other in shock and burst out laughing. We laughed and laughed and then Barb leaped up and said stop! I can't laugh like this I'm going to pee my pants! Which of course caused us to laugh some more as she scurried to the bathroom.

After my brother, Andy, graduated from MSU, he got a job in Traverse City. While Barb and Andy were looking for a place to live, they lived in Aunt Emma and Uncle Bill's cabin on the Boardman River.

Now, many of you may know that Barb has been known to be gullible. One Saturday night while the family was playing Canasta, my dad began talking to Barb about how her life would be changing a lot living on that river. Barb had never been there and had no idea how wide or narrow the river was. So with a straight face my dad told Barb that the biggest problem she'd have was the noise from the tour boats going by. Dad told her that they were noisy and many holler out greetings to the people on the porch. He said you can hear the music from the boat, too. He said the worst was when the captain blows the whistle. Barb bought his story hook line and sinker. And off they moved to TC.

Thanksgiving came and Barb and Andy and the kids came home for the holiday. Barb came in the door and yelled where's dad? I've got a bone to pick with him! We all laughed and laughed.

Barb was my maid of honor in my first wedding. She made is a quilt for a wedding present which my son took with him when he moved out. A couple of years ago he brought it to me to fix. He had loved it to death. She made it in the 70's...

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Lara Norman-Kehe

Thank you for being mom's "bonus sister", and maintaining that relationship for all these years. Thank you for being mom's "bonus sister", and maintaining that relationship for all these years. Thank you for being mom's "bonus sister", and maintaining... Read more

Andrew Kehe

Barb was my mother In law and like most mother in law - son in law relationships there were some chilly moments, most triggered by me because it wasn’t in her nature to be negative or confrontational. Barb was simply the nicest, most caring person I’ve ever met, and she’ll forever be remembered in my heart as being just that. I miss her Little House On the Prairie outlook on life. It suited her. But no less endearing was her drive to make a life for herself as an LPN and do it criss-crossing the country in order to be close to Lara, her grandkids and me. On the trip from California to Hershey, Pa. she carried Bailey, our golden retriever, in the back seat of her little Ford Focus so Bailey could rejoin us. Who does that? Barb did, without batting an eye.

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Brenda Hoschele

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Lara Norman-Kehe

My mom loved you, don't doubt that. You two had very different life experiences, which simply lead to different... Read more My mom loved you, don't doubt that. You two had very different life experiences, which simply lead to different points of view... Read more My mom loved you, don't doubt that. You two had very... Read more

Mary Karasinski

She had the best laugh!!!!!
She made both my girls beautiful quilts when they were born that I will keep forever .
One of my favorite memories was sledding in my Dads backyard with Aunt Barb, Gregg, Laurie and Steve . ❤️❤️❤️

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Julia Leshinsky

When Barb was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I would call her 2-3 times a month, we would talk about our families. I sent her pictures of my family so she would have faces to go with the names. She loved her family so much. Barb would talk about going to Elder Care and all the nice people she met. She told me how much she loved watching old movies, so she would give me a list of movies that she wanted to watch. I would send her a care package every month with whatever movies I had found plus clothes and yarn. I know it meant a lot to her that I would send those things to her. I cherish the conversations that we had. As time went by she was repeating herself more and more but I didn’t care, just being able to talk to her was enough. I’ll miss Barb, she was my sister and my friend.

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Lara Norman-Kehe

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Lara Norman-Kehe

Thank you so much for your ongoing involvement in my mom's life. It really did mean the world to her, and... Read more Thank you so much for your ongoing involvement in my mom's life. It really did mean the world to her, and your efforts were ... Read more Thank you so much for your ongoing involvement in my... Read more

Brenda Hoschele

I have such fond memories of your mother. We had lots of laughs, and everything she did. I remember help with Project Linus at Church. And all the prayer quilt she made for the members of church, and I was so honored I was the first one to receive the first prayer quilt she put together. I was not like any other quilt, and I hold it know and think of her with much Love ❤️. Peace to you my friend. Prayers to all of you🙏 Brenda Hoschele

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Lara Norman-Kehe

I think this was probably one of the happiest times in her life. She was active in not just the lives of... Read more I think this was probably one of the happiest times in her life. She was active in not just the lives of my kids, but in the ... Read more I think this was probably one of the happiest times... Read more

Lara Norman-Kehe

In 2013, after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Barb started a “joy journal” in order to help her to preserve some of her favorite memories. Below are a few of Barb’s remembrances:

Spending time with Aunt Edna: She was very special and she made me feel special. She taught me how to sew. I learned many things from her.

My children: Lara, the joy of having a daughter was incredible. Greg, such a handsome boy. Lara’s first day of school, getting on the bus. Greg playing outside in the field, bringing flowers. Leading 4-H Sewing and Cub Scouts.

Moving to Frankfort: We met a lot of new friends at Blaine Christian Church, who had kids the same age as our kids. Our Extension group met in each other’s homes once a month and had different activities, such as candle making, crafts and other fun stuff. We also got together each month for Farm Bureau meetings. We went dancing at least once a month in Beulah, and every year we had New Year’s parties and Christmas parties. What a great time.

My house in Benzonia: It had a garden. I really enjoyed canning things from the garden. 250 pints and quarts fruits and vegetables. My first new car that I bought on my own, a little gray car.

Dancing: I always loved dancing and when I became single, I started taking country dance classes. I met so many neat people and would go dancing every other weekend. What fun.

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Julia Leshinsky

Barb talking about dancing reminds me of when we were growing up, we’d go on the back porch with our sister... Read more Barb talking about dancing reminds me of when we were growing up, we’d go on the back porch with our sister Linda and make up ... Read more Barb talking about dancing reminds me of when we were... Read more

Lara Norman-Kehe

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Mary Karasinski

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Mary Karasinski

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼

Lara Norman-Kehe

Until she went under hospice care, we were unable to visit her in person, because of Covid precautions. ... Read more Until she went under hospice care, we were unable to visit her in person, because of Covid precautions. But for 11 days we had... Read more Until she went under hospice care, we were unable to... Read more

Lara Norman-Kehe

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Mary Karasinski

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Mary Karasinski

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Lara Norman-Kehe

Pure pride. Pure pride. Pure pride.

Lara Norman-Kehe

You can really see her in Greg's face here. You can really see her in Greg's face here. You can really see her in Greg's face here.

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Mary Karasinski

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Mary Karasinski

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Mary Karasinski

This is how I will always remember her.....❤️ This is how I will always remember her.....❤️ This is how I will always remember her.....❤️

Lara Norman-Kehe

I think this is how my kids will probably remember her, too. She was so active in their lives when we lived... Read more I think this is how my kids will probably remember her, too. She was so active in their lives when we lived in CA. I think this is how my kids will probably remember ... Read more

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