Norma Jeane Latzel, 75

Norma Jeane Latzel, 75, of Sunland, Calif., (formerly of Kalispell) passed away Nov. 13, 2007, at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Panorama City, Calif., after complications with a lower aorta aneurysm.

Norma was born Dec. 29, 1931, in Ewing, Neb., to Amy and John Latzel. As a young woman, Norma moved to Kalispell.

In February 1958, she married John Engebretson of Kalispell. Norma and John were married for 30 years before parting ways in 1988. They remained friends throughout her life.

Norma worked with the Credit Bureau, Job Service, and Flathead County Clerk and Recorder's Office in the Election Department in Kalispell.

Norma and John were very active in civic groups including the Jaycee's and Jayceen's. Norma was named Jayceen of the Year in 1963-1964.

In 1978, she joined the U.S. Forest Service in Bigfork. She transferred with the Forest Service to Payson, Ariz., and then to Sylmar, Calif., where she retired in 1998 with 20 years of service. She stayed and worked part time until 2000.

She retired to Sunland in 2000.

Norma loved gardening, flowers, wild birds, and her cats. She enjoyed nature and loved her life in sunny southern California. She stayed active in her church and Bible study activities, and providing aid and support to under-privileged children's Christian relief organizations.

She is survived by two daughters, Debby and Tom Kent of Globe, Ariz., and Jami Deskins of La Porte, Texas; her former husband, John Engebretson, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Jake, Marci, and Scott Andrews of Kalispell; and several nieces and nephews in Washington state, Minnesota and Nebraska.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Amy and John Latzel; and sisters, Alma Voorhies, Daurice Thiele, and Helen Kaczor.

Cremation was performed by the Neptune Society of Sherman Oaks, Calif., per her wishes.

Her ashes will be taken by her daughters to the Latzel homestead cemetery in Ewing, Neb., where she will be once again united with her mother and father.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Faith Lutheran Church in Tujunga, Calif., with Rev. Charles Collier performing the service.

Donations in Norma's memory may be mailed to the Faith Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 577, Tujunga, CA 91042.