Norma Spencer (1930-2014)

Norma Spencer Beckstrand
Aunt Norma
Born:2 Jul 1930 Montpelier, Idaho
Died:6 Mar 2014 Lehi, Utah
Father:Seymour Horne Spencer
Mother:Sarah Sophronia Quayle
Siblings:Helen Jean Spencer
Robert William Spencer
Norma Spencer
Beth Spencer
Margaret Joan Spencer
Married:16 Jun 1948 Salt Lake City, Utah
Spouse:Gordon Lynn Beckstrand
Children:David Gordon Beckstrand
Scott Beckstrand
Gary Lynn Beckstrand
Obituary

The Deseret News, Thursday, March 12, 2014:

Norma Spencer Beckstrand
1930 ~ 2014

Our feisty, dynamic, wonderful wife, mother, and friend Norma Spencer Beckstrand passed away peacefully at her home on March 6, 2014. Norma was born on July 2, 1930 to Sarah Sophronia Quayle and Seymour Horne Spencer in Montpelier, Idaho. She grew up in Fillmore, Utah. From the day she was born, Norma hit the ground running. Before graduating from Millard High School in 1948, where she was co-valedictorian, she was the first Utah Girls' State Governor.

Norma married the love of her life, Gordon Lynn Beckstrand, on June 16, 1948 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were always on the move, Norma working numerous jobs providing the financial resources necessary for Gordon to obtain his degrees, touching countless lives wherever they lived: Meadow, UT; Castle Dale, UT; Ithaca, NY; Madison, WI; Logan, UT; Richfield, UT; East Lansing, MI; Fort Collins, CO; Washington DC; Mogadishu, Somalia; Cairo, Egypt; Leeds, UT; Alpine, UT; and Lehi, UT.

Norma loved working as a realtor and assisted the LDS Church in purchasing the first mission home for the Lansing Michigan Mission in 1973. One of her greatest desires was to earn her college degree, which she did at age 55, with honors, from BYU in University Studies.

Norma spent her life serving others. She directed, managed, and produced innumerable community and church productions such as "Oliver" and "The Stingiest Man in Town." She served in the LDS Young Women's program for 42 years; culminating with her 7th time as ward Young Women's president at the age of 72. She and Gordon served four LDS missions together: Co-Directors, St. George Member Locator Center; Guides, St. George Historical Sites;Coordinators, St. George Temple Baptistry; Missionaries, St. George Temple Visitors' Center.

Everyone who knew Norma loved her. With her dynamic personality, she could be very direct with people and still maintain a great relationship because of her love for them. She was an expert homemaker and devoted mother. Her sons cherish the lessons she taught them about life, the gospel, and being men of God.

Norma is survived by her husband, Gordon; her sisters Beth Robison (Doyle) and Joan McKee (Clair); her three sons, David (Joy) of Lehi, Utah, Scott (Carrie) of Overton, Nevada, and Gary (Jennifer) of Centerville, Utah. She had 23 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Robert Spencer, her sister Helen Whatcott, and her granddaughters Laura Beckstrand and Mikheala Beckstrand.

The family would like to thank those who cared for Norma in her last year, particularly Mary Smith, her hospice nurse and friend, and David and Joy Beckstrand whom she called her "angel" care givers. A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday, March 14, 2014 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. with a viewing from 8:30 to 9:30 prior to services at the Pheasant Point First Ward, 3065 North 1300 West, Lehi, Utah. A graveside service will also be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at the cemetery in Meadow, Utah.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.warenski.com.

Sources

*Spencer, Seymour H. Orson Spencer Descendants, Through 1956, p. 115.
               1 year of College
               1956 Address - 29 D. - University Houses, Madison 6, Wisconsin
               Temple Marriage
               Primary, MIA & Sunday School Teacher
               Chorister
               MIA Presidency

*Death: Telephone Call from Beth S. Robison, 8:30 pm, Thursday, March 6, 2014

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