Norma Eichelberger
November 12, 1927 — May 28, 2017
Norma Gayle Eichelberger, daughter of John L. And Helen Margery (Nelson) Sondergard, Jr., was born in Avoca, Iowa, on November 12, 1927. She attended school in the Avoca area and graduated with the class of 1946.
Throughout her lifetime, Norma had various occupations. She worked for a phone company in Lincoln, Nebraska and California for a very short time; sorted seed corn for Piittmann Seed Company, and worked for the Avoca Movie Theater. Her most beloved job was taking care of her family as a homemaker-it was her life.
Norma met the love of her life when she first started working for the Avoca Movie Theater in 1953. Lafayette “Ike” Eichelberger worked for Iowa Power & Light and was in the Avoca area working and staying at the Avoca Hotel. He wandered into the theater and noticed someone new. They began dating soon after and the relationship blossomed. Ike and Norma were married on August 25, 1955, at Congregational Church in Avoca. To this union four children were born: Rex, Margie, Lafe, and Sally.
In Norma’s spare time, she thrived by doodling, drawing, and collecting Franklin Mint Cars. Even though Norma never drove or earned her driver’s license, she enjoyed antique cars. She was a very down to earth person and enjoyed family outings and gatherings.
Norma died on May 28, 2017, surrounded by family at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center in Avoca, having attained the age of eighty-nine years, six months, and sixteen days. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Donna Wagner, and brother Jack Sondergard.
She is survived by her children Rex Eichelberger and his wife Paula of Avoca; Margie and her husband Mike Espelund of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Lafe Eichelberger of Saint Augustine, Florida; Sally and her husband Larry Obrecht of Harlan, Iowa; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Throughout her lifetime, Norma had various occupations. She worked for a phone company in Lincoln, Nebraska and California for a very short time; sorted seed corn for Piittmann Seed Company, and worked for the Avoca Movie Theater. Her most beloved job was taking care of her family as a homemaker-it was her life.
Norma met the love of her life when she first started working for the Avoca Movie Theater in 1953. Lafayette “Ike” Eichelberger worked for Iowa Power & Light and was in the Avoca area working and staying at the Avoca Hotel. He wandered into the theater and noticed someone new. They began dating soon after and the relationship blossomed. Ike and Norma were married on August 25, 1955, at Congregational Church in Avoca. To this union four children were born: Rex, Margie, Lafe, and Sally.
In Norma’s spare time, she thrived by doodling, drawing, and collecting Franklin Mint Cars. Even though Norma never drove or earned her driver’s license, she enjoyed antique cars. She was a very down to earth person and enjoyed family outings and gatherings.
Norma died on May 28, 2017, surrounded by family at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center in Avoca, having attained the age of eighty-nine years, six months, and sixteen days. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Donna Wagner, and brother Jack Sondergard.
She is survived by her children Rex Eichelberger and his wife Paula of Avoca; Margie and her husband Mike Espelund of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Lafe Eichelberger of Saint Augustine, Florida; Sally and her husband Larry Obrecht of Harlan, Iowa; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many friends.
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