Norma Cole

Callaway, NE- Norma Cole age 91 of Callaway died Monday October 19, 2015 at the Callaway Good Life Center. Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 24, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the Callaway Community Church with Pastor Dean Haidle officiating. Burial will be in the Tallin Cemetery west of Callaway. Memorials are suggested to the Callaway Good Life Center. Visitation will be held on Friday, 5 PM to 8 PM at the Callaway Community Church. Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of the arrangements. Norma Cole was born on October 1, 1924, at Finchville, NE, to Onie and Lucy (Huff) Shaw. Mrs. Cole grew up in the Arnold area and attended country school. She later graduated from Arnold High School in 1943 and from Kearney State College in 1963. Norma was married to Billie Stryker on March 28, 1946. Two children were born to this union, Marilyn and Donnie. They lived in the Callaway area most of their lives. Norma taught in country schools for 8 years, then later in Callaway Public Schools for 27 years, retiring in 1989. On December 21, 1968, Norma was married to Frank Cole. The couple lived between Callaway and Arnold. Mr. Cole died in May of 2002. Just prior to Frank’s death; Norma moved into Callaway where she lived until 2009, when she moved to Tennessee to stay with her daughter, Marilyn, for 6 years. On January 19, 2015, Norma returned to Callaway and resided at the Callaway Good Life Center where she received excellent care for 10 months. Norma loved children and especially loved teaching them. Even after retiring she continued to teach neighbor children and grandchildren. She will be remembered as the teacher with Mr. Jingles, the clown, who sat with each child on their birthday. Norma enjoyed her garden and flowers, reading, crocheting, walking, and her Bible study. Norma is survived by her children Marilyn (Doug) Blumhardt of Nashville, TN, and Donnie (Connie) Stryker of Callaway, NE. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and a sister Donna (Ole) Chesley of Callaway, NE. She is preceded in death by her husband Frank, husband Billie, sisters Mildred Wright and Doris Chesley, and a brother Donald Shaw.