Norma S. Franke

Norma Savage Petersen Franke, of Lakeside, Arizona passed away on Wednesday morning, March 4, 2015 at the age of 88 in Show Low, Arizona. She was born on October 21, 1926 in Vernonia, Columbia, Oregon 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 "Chuck" Jeffrey Petersen, and Jack Ferrell Peterson. She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands - Vaughn Williams Petersen, Clarence Harry Peterson and Bernard Neal Franke, and siblings - Ella Larson, Geraldine Giles, Arthur Savage and Myrtle Louise Savage. She is survived by 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 the Snowflake Union High School in the 1960s and 1970s as a Secretary. She was very talented and enjoyed acting and singing. She 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 a staple in the Lakeside community and she wrote for the Senior News offering many anecdotes, advice and down to earth friendly outreach throughout the 1990s. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 with viewing at 10:00 am and services at 11:00 am at the Show Low Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 300 N 11th St., Show Low. Interment will be at the R.V "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery, Snowflake, Arizona. 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.