Norma Jean Roden

Norma Jean Roden, 91, of Seattle passed away March 11, 2018.  Following a stroke, she was able to return to her apartment with the help of hospice.  Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren surrounded her with love as she died peacefully.

Norma was the first of three children born to Kenneth Walter and Lydia Grace Borland in Creston Iowa on June 2, 1926.  She was preceded in death by her husband Earl and her son Gary.

Norma graduated from Kelso High School and Tacoma General Hospital (Cadet Nursing Program).  As an RN, she loved working as a Labor and Delivery nurse for 30 years.

Following nursing school, Norma married her high school sweetheart, James Earl Roden, Jr.  They lived in Longview, Astoria, Roseburg, Lombard (Illinois) and finally settled in Enumclaw, WA.  Their last few years were spent in Seattle to be closer to family, but they always missed Enumclaw.

Norma and Earl had four children: James Daniel Roden (Barbara Dickson), Gary Steven Roden (deceased), Mark Walter Roden (Pam), and Jeanyce Roden Almgren (Jeff).  They had 6 much loved grandchildren and 6 adored great-grandchildren. Her love for her children was clear in the fact that she made each of us feel like we were her favorite!

Norma loved gardening, any and all pets, her friends and most important – her family.  She touched many lives with her kindness and compassion.  We found many heartfelt thank-you notes she had saved from her patients over the years.

Our family is heartbroken at losing Mom/Grandma, yet we feel so blessed to have had her in our lives.  We will miss her (and her famous pancakes!).

At her request, Norma will be laid to rest in Enumclaw with her beloved husband Earl and close to the mountain she loved.  There will be a private, graveside service for immediate family at the Evergreen Memorial Park.

Donations may be made in Norma’s name to: PAWS Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1037, Lynnwood, WA 98046, www.paws.org; Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org ; or N.O.R.D., 55 Kenosia Ave., Danbury, CT 06810, www.rarediseases.org.

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