Norma Vera Francis

Norma Vera Francis passed away Thursday, December 13, 2007 at Midlands Hospital in Papillion, Nebraska. Norma was born on March 24, 1914 to Martha and Lohman Reitz in Madison County, NE…the youngest of three daughters. She attended Madison Public Schools and graduated from Osmund, NE High School in 1932. Norma attended Wayne State College and had a teaching career in Nebraska rural schools. Norma and Wilfred “Bob” Francis were married on April 10, 1941, in a double wedding ceremony along with her sister Velma and Ernest Frans. Norma and Bob farmed outside of Osmund, NE and had two sons, Dwaine and Roger.
Norma returned to Wayne State College in the early 1960’s to finish her four year teaching degree; she then taught in McLean, NE and for a number of years in the Osmund, NE school system.
Norma and Bob left the farm and retired to Plainview, NE in the late 1970’s. They became immersed in activities in the Plainview Methodist Church, Masons & Eastern Star, Senior Citizens’ Center and Coffee Clubs. They enjoyed taking numerous bus trips, meeting new people and seeing new places.
Norma sold her Plainview home and moved to the Nebraska Masonic Home in November, 2004. She loved living there and made many friends in her new home.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents Martha and Lohman Reitz, her sister Velma, and her husband Bob. She is survived by her elder sister, Valeria Mesler of Okonogan, WA; sons, Dwaine (Kay) Francis of West Des Moines, IA and Roger (Lynda) Francis of Kearney, NE; grandchildren, Tracy (Charles) Travis of Boulder, CO, Kim Francis of West Des Moines, IA, Alex Francis of Denver, CO, Julie Bergbreiter of West Des Moines, IA, Curt Rouse of Hawaii, Karen (Rick) Swalwell of West Des Moines, IA, Keli (Bob) Brindamour of Omaha, NE and Bradley (Jodi) Francis of Portland, OR; great grandchildren, Samantha and Liam Travis, Josh and Kate Bergbreiter, Benjamin and Brandon Brindamour and Sorenn Francis.
Norma was a loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

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