Service Details

Memorial to be held on Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 1:00-2:30 PM.

Moose Lodge
206 N Main St
Ellensburg, WA 98926

The Story

Norma Jean Berdan passed away peacefully on June 13, 2016 at the age of 86 in Newcastle, Washington.

Norma began her life in Cherokee, Oklahoma, the seventh of eleven children of Fred B. Jurgens and Sarah (Sadie Rousseau) Jurgens on October 9, 1929. Norma shared her memories of moving from Oklahoma to the Kittitas Valley in Washington as a five year-old in a 1928 Hudson, remembering her first glimpse of the Columbia River near Vantage. The Kittitas Valley became home for a large part of her life.

Norma was stricken by tuberculosis in her teens and early 20’s, but through time spent in a sanatorium in Yakima, and later with lung surgery, was able to live a long, healthy life. After high school she attended business college in Seattle and returned to work at Puget Sound Power and Light Company, where she met her husband, George Walter Wines. During the 50’s and 60’s her time was spent raising three children, involved in their many activities. She volunteered at school functions, helped with baseball events, became a leader for the Bluebird and Campfire girls, and had an open door for all friends and family who came to visit. Norma joined the YMCA and was a part of many water ballet performances in Ellensburg.

Norma returned to work as the children grew, continuing in administration from 1967 through 1991 at the Kittitas County Auditor’s Office, where she hand-recorded the legal documents of Kittitas Valley and offered a cheery smile to many residents of the county.

After the death in 1985 of her first husband, she married Don Berdan, and her life was enlarged with a second loving family. Don and Norma spent time traveling, and resided in both Leavenworth and Arizona, enjoying retirement, golf and many new friends. They returned to the Seattle area in 2013.

Norma will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her readiness to dance and enjoy social gatherings, her love of family, her optimism, her open house policy to all friends and family, and her gift to spend time listening to friends and strangers who shared their lives and problems. Norma’s life made a difference to those who met her.

Norma is survived by her husband, Don Berdan, her sisters Frances Bosler and Martha Larson, her children Sarah Cheng, Walt Wines, Janet Vaughan, and step children Dave Berdan, Carol Berdan, Garth Williams and Rob Wiesendanger. She is also survived by wonderful grandchildren, nieces, nephews and greatgrandchildren. The family would like to thank Valentina and Pauline at Immanuel Adult Family Care for the love and attention Norma received during the last two years of her life.

A memorial service will be held at the Moose Lodge in Ellensburg, Washington on Saturday, June 25th at 1:00 pm. The family requests that you continue to celebrate Norma’s life by sharing thoughts and photos online.