Norma J Richards

Norma J. Richards, 102, died, Tuesday, May 24 at NewAldaya Lifescapes, Cedar Falls. Shewas born February 17, 1909 in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Edward and Helen (Mahonney) Henson. When she was eleven, her family moved to Freeport, Illinois, where she lived most of her life.

On July 3, 1930 , Norma "Non" as she was known by her family and friends, married her high school sweetheart, Charles Richards. Although their only son died as an infant, they both were always an important part of the lives of their nieces and nephews. Professionally Non was a gifted artist, and in her spare time enjoyed the beauty of nature on Wisconsin fishing trips and golfing.

After Chuck's retirement from Springfield Monarch Insurance Company, Non and Chuck moved to Dunedin, Florida, where they thoroughly enjoyed living an active life on Honeymoon Island. After Chuck's death, Non moved in 1993 to Cedar Falls to live with Ed and Sally Baker, her sister's daughter. Since 2005, when her health began to decline, Non lived at the Cedar Falls Lutheran Home.

Non was a tender hearted and loving person who gave generously of herself to others and who always loved the laughter and  spontaneity of little children. She was an amazingly creative person with skills in painting, needlework, and other kinds of artistic expressions.

She has left her family a legacy of committed love, genuine faith, the enjoyment of beauty in nature, and enthusiastic creativity. Her love and life have profoundly impacted the lives of so many and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived on her side of the family by niece Sally (Ed) Baker of Cedar Falls, great-niece, Amy Baker of Hudson, and great-nephew, Dan (Stacy) Baker and their daughters, Rebekah and Joanna of Denver, Colorado, and by several nieces and nephews and their families from her husband's family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one infant son, Charles.

Memorial services will be 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2011 at Orchard Hill Church. Inurnment will be at a later date in Curlew Hills Memory Gardens in Palm Harbor, Florida. Memorials may be directed to Orchard Hill Church. Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.