Norma Savage Petersen Franke, 88, of Lakeside passed away on Wednesday morning, March 4, 2015, in Show Low. A viewing will be held at 10 o’clock this morning (March 11), followed by funeral services at 11 o’clock at the Show Low Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 300 N. 11th St. Interment will be at the R.V. “Mike” Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake.
She was born on Oct. 21, 1926, in Vernonia, Ore., to Arthur Hall Savage and Myrtle Gibson. She was the third of six children, Ella Pearl, Geraldine, Norma, Arthur Ferrell, Myrtle Louise and Lynda Savage.
Norma served in the United States Navy WAVES during World War II.
Her pride and joy are her four sons, Vaughn William “Bill” Petersen, Andrew Jarret Petersen, Charles Jeffrey “Chuck” Petersen and Jack Ferrell Peterson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Vaughn Williams Petersen, Clarence Harry Peterson and Bernard Neal Franke; and four siblings, Ella Larson, Geraldine Giles, Arthur Savage and Myrtle Louise Savage.
Survivors include her sister, Lynda Willis (and her husband Chan); her sons and their spouses; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
She was a very hard worker, with impeccable integrity. She kept her word, and could be counted on in any task. She worked at Snowflake Union High School in the 1960s and 1970s as a secretary. She was very talented, and enjoyed acting and singing.
Norma and her late husband Bernie Franke enjoyed entertaining and serving others. She was quick to lend a helping hand, and mourn with those that mourn, while offering a cheerful smile and words of encouragement. She and Bernie were staples in the Lakeside community and she wrote for the Senior News, offering many anecdotes, advice and down to earth friendly outreach throughout the 1990s.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) or to the Show Low Historical Society.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low was in charge of the arrangements.
