Cloudy, 54° F
(March 16, 1937 - Aug. 25, 2012)
Shirley A. (Harris) Norberg died peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Saturday, Aug. 25 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 75.
Shirley was born March 16, 1937 in Eastend, Saskatchewan to Edwin (Jack) and Beatrice Harris. The family later moved to Kaslo, British Columbia, where Shirley grew up and later graduated from Kaslo High School. Following graduation, she began work at the Bank of Montreal.
In 1952, she worked up the nerve to ask Ray Norberg to the Sadie Hawkins dance. They married in 1956 and moved into their first home at Mirror Lake outside Kaslo. Early in their marriage, they befriended Bud and Bea Steck, a couple from Ralston who were vacationing near their home. The Stecks convinced Shirley and Ray to relocate to Powell where they have lived since 1959. Ray and Shirley celebrated their 56th anniversary in June.
Shirley worked at First National Bank before leaving to raise her family. She became active in the service organization Epsilon Sigma Alpha, serving as president of the Wyoming chapter from 1966-1967. During that time, she fundraised actively for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Easter Seal Society, as well as several local charitable organizations and healthcare-related causes.
In 1976, Ray and Shirley became U.S. citizens and opened the Lamplighter Inn in Powell. True partners, Shirley welcomed guests and ran the dining room while Ray managed the kitchen for more than 30 years. During that time, she cherished the relationships she cultivated with the people she worked with and the people she served.
Shirley was an active bridge player, member of Union Presbyterian Church, Fine Arts Club, Red Hat Society and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Shirley loved entertaining and spending time with family and friends. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Shirley’s charm and grace will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her husband Ray; son Rick (Julianne Fulton) of Powell; daughters Lisa (Cristina Pattuelli) of New York, and Tanya of Red Lodge, Mont.; grandchildren Ben of Bellingham, Wash., Molly and Max of Powell; and sister Mae Hall of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Memorial donations can be made to Union Presbyterian Church, Northwest College Foundation, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. at Union Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Holly Haines officiating. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonfuneral.net or P.O. Box 807, Powell, WY 82435.
