Norma Bray Olson, died peacefully on Sun, Sep 22, 2007, in St Louis, MO, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her best friend, and husband of 55 years, Harry O. Olson; her three children: son, Ric Olson (Kahty), daughters, Jane Glidden, and Julie Peterson (Duane); her five grandchildren: Kevin Peterson, Jim Peterson (Brittany), Kelly Hough (Matt), Geoff Glidden, and Shelby Glidden; six great grandchildren who were the light and joy of her life: Kendra and Gavin Peterson, Hailey and Emma Peterson, David and Andy Hough; sister in law, Mitzi Bray, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Norma is reunited now with her parents, Edgar and Mabel Bray; brother, Lee Bray and nephews, Ken Bray, and sisters, Carol Brammer and Juanita Bethge.
Norma was born in Kankakee, IL on Dec 30, 1930. She graduated from the Kankakee Public Schools, and held a BA degree from Illinois State University and a Masters degree form Eastern Michigan University. She served on the Physical Education Curriculum Committee for Indiana Sate Department of Education. She also volunteered with the Indiana Special Olympics. She was a unique and gifted educator whose Physical Education teaching career spanned all grade levels from kindergarten to graduate school in the cities of Danville, IL, Flint, MI and Muncie, IN at Ball State University. One of her proudest accomplishments on behalf of children was her successful efforts to enact legislation controlling the breeding of wolf-dog hybrids in the state of Michigan.
Norma and Harry currently reside in Frederic Michigan as well as Leesburg, FL. Over the years, they have lived in numerous places (Danville, Il, Flint, MI, Muncie, IN, Eaton, IN, Marquette, MI, Bloomington, IN, and Warrenville, IL) during Harry's 39 year career with the Boy Scouts of America.
Norma was a lifelong learner, devouring countless books covering her varied interests in history, art, archaeology and genealogy. Her hobbies included oil painting, Rosemaling (traditional Norwegian Painting), hunting arrowheads, traveling, and camping across the United States. She was an accomplished genealogist and author of two family genealogy books, one of which detailed her mother's Moore ancestors, while the other book detailed her father's Bray ancestors leading back to Stephen Hopkins, who arrived in both Jamestown, VA and on the Mayflower. Norma had just recently completed her research on her third genealogy book covering her husband's ancestral line which arrived in 1607, in Jamestown, VA as well. Her family will finish this book in her memory. Norma was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Mayflower Society. She loved a spirited, yet respectful and civil political debate and could always be counted on to cancel out the vote of her Republican husband in national elections. The entire family (husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren) enjoyed the special blessing of being able to share a family celebration recently, as well as visit with Norma during her final days.
Services: A special Celebration of Norma's Life was held on Fri, Sep 28, 2007, at the Kalkaska United Methodist Church in Kalkaska, MI. The visitation began at 3 pm with a Service of Celebration of her Life beginning at 4 pm. Casual dress is encouraged because we will gather as family and a family of friends to celebrate her unique life.
