Norma Saling Obituary

Bruce Lee Memorial Chapel

A beloved and dedicated mother, grandmother and wife, Norma Jean Saling passed away peacefully at Avalon Health and Rehabilitation Center in Pasco in the early morning hours of January 13, 2006. She had battled complications from a June 2005 colostomy surgery.

Norma was born to Milton T. 'Pete' and Grace Danbom at their Hemingford, Nebraska, farm on November 9, 1931, the third child in a family in which she had four brothers and two sisters.

She graduated from Hemingford High School and attended Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, studying education, after which she taught multiple grades in a one-room country school near Hemingford.

Norma met the love of her life, William C. 'Bill' Saling during this time and they were married August 18, 1951. After marriage, they lived in Laramie, Wyoming, and then moved back to the Hemingford area for the birth of their first child, Bob. After the birth of a daughter, Wanda, the young couple was looking for additional opportunity.

An option was presented in early 1956. Bill's sister and her family spoke highly of the prospect in the small, but growing, town of Pasco, and the family pulled up stakes and headed west. During the first few years, they moved to Pullman, Washington, and Moscow, Idaho, where their third child, Janet, was born. During these years, Norma worked as a waitress to help meet the family's financial obligations.

Norma and Bill returned to Pasco in 1958 and worked hard to provide for their children and improve their lives, eventually purchasing a home in Pasco. During these years, Norma supported her children in their school activities and sewed extensively, teaching her daughters to sew as well. In 1967, the family was able to transition to farming, in which the entire family participated for a number of years.

Norma participated enthusiastically, driving trucks and tractors and changing sprinklers. The family flourished after returning to their agricultural roots and were able to purchase their own farmland, in addition to leased acreage, after a few short years. They built a new home in the winter of 1974-75, where they lived until retirement in 1985.

Upon retirement, while living west of Pasco, Norma and Bill leased out their farm and traveled extensively in their motor home, frequently visiting their children and grandchildren in California and Arizona, as well as family in Nebraska and elsewhere.

Bill preceded Norma in death in 1987, followed by her mother Grace. Her father Pete passed away in 2001 at the age of 101.

Although devastated by Bill's passing, Norma continued to manage the farmland and eventually finalized its sale. She resumed travel to visit her family frequently and also became an ardent supporter and season ticket holder of the Tri-City Americans hockey team, even traveling to other league cities for games. In addition, she continued to enjoy craft work, including cross stitch, embroidery and others.

Norma was the epitome of a great mother, providing a strong shoulder to cry on and providing wise and sound advice during times of challenge. Although separated by distance, she never let that space prevent her from being a regular and positive influence in her children's lives. She always looked forward to family visits.

Norma was baptized into the Church of Christ Westside in Pasco and has more recently attended the First Lutheran Church in Pasco.

Norma is survived by her children, Bob Saling (with wife Debbie) of Kent, Washington; Wanda Hooper (with husband Chuck) of Turlock, California; and Janet Mayfield (with husband Jimmy) of Lihue, Hawaii; grandchildren Jennifer Hodby, Stephanie Hooper, Kimberly Mayfield, Christy Mayfield, Kristy Christianson and Mike Christianson; and great-grandchildren Madison Hodby, Mackenzie Hodby and Ava Christianson. She is also survived by her siblings, Alan Danbom and Dorothy Ray, both Hemingford, Nebraska; Paul Danbom of Christmas Valley, Oregon; Bill Danbom of Maywood, Nebraska; Margie Donnelly of Federal Way, Washington; and David Danbom of Pensacola, Florida; as well as many dear, long-time friends including Joann Swarner, Rob Burroughs and C.L. Gatzke.

Public viewing will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2006, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Bruce Lee Memorial Chapel, 2804 W. Lewis St., Pasco.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 20, 2006, at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 530 W. Bonneville St., Pasco, with Pastor John S. Hergert officiating. Norma will be laid to rest at City View Cemetery in Pasco next to her beloved Bill.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, Washington, 99337, or to First Lutheran Church, 530 W. Bonneville St., Pasco, Washington, 99301.