Norma Ann Parkinson, 85, of Rexburg, passed away September 16, 2010, at her daughter's home in Idaho Falls.
She was born April 9, 1925, in Sugar City, Idaho to Oriole and Seymour Beesley. The oldest of three children, she was raised and attended schools in Rexburg. After graduation, she joined her aunt and uncle in San Diego and worked assembling airplanes for the war effort. She worked on the PB4Y-2 airplane for the navy. Feeling the need to help with the war effort she joined the U.S. Marine Women's Reserve in May 29th, 1945. She served in Washington, D.C. from 1945 to 1946, training to march military style and working as a clerk in the Navy Annex.
She returned to Rexburg to work and eventually met and married Preston H. Parkinson May 31st, 1948. Thus started mom's career as a farm wife, cooking for hired men, chasing for machine parts, cutting seed potatoes and helping on the farm any way possible. Together they had four children: Preston Eric "Rick", Christine, Sara Ann, and Phillip. They raised their children on the farm and taught them to work hard.
Norma enjoyed oil painting, needlework, music, helping with the Civic Club, volunteering as a Pink Lady at Madison Memorial Hospital, working in her garden, skiing and spending time with her grandchildren.
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in numerous positions in the Relief Society and Primary. She had a great love for the Relief Society and Visiting Teaching.
She was sealed to Preston in the Idaho Falls temple on April 20,1996.
She is survived by two daughters, Chris (Mike) Wheiler of Idaho Falls, Sara Knapp of Rexburg, ID; and one son, Phil (Dayna) Parkinson of Rexburg, ID; her brother, Bud (Margaret) Beesley of Kenewick, WA and sister, Bonnie (Don) Stevens of Idaho Falls, seven granddaughters, and two great granddaughters .
She is preceeded in death by her parents, Seymour and Oriole Beesley; her husband, Preston H. Parkinson; her son, Rick; and her granddaughter Andrea Brin Wheiler.
Funeral services will be at ll:00 a.m. Monday, September 20, 2010 at the Rexburg North Stake Center with Bishop Richard Cluff of the 18th Ward officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home, 61 N. 1st E. in Rexburg; and Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the Church, 314 E. 2nd N., Rexburg. Burial will be in the Sugar City Cemetery with military rites by the Madison County Veterans.