Longtime Silverton resident and florist Norma Jean Branstetter suddenly passed away on Feb. 3, 2016 at her home.
Norma Jean Souders was born in Eureka, Kan. on March 2, 1925, to Cread Eston Souders and Hazel Maud (Bailey) Souders. Her ancestors were Kansas homesteaders during the early 1800s.
Norma Jean died of an apparent massive heart attack/stroke the morning of Feb. 3. She lived in a mobile home in the Silverton Senior Estates and was observed out weeding her flower beds the previous day.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 402 N. First St., Silverton.
Norma Jean owned and operated Silverton Flower Shop on Water Street for more than 55 years. She was known for her generosity and kind spirit.
She always had a hug and a piece of candy readily available to dispense to everyone. On many occasions, she would even remove one of her price tags and sell the item at a loss in order to assist some elderly customer who she suspected could not afford the purchase.
Her recognition in 2008 by the Silverton Chamber of Commerce with its Lifetime Achievement Award read in part: “She has ‘saved’ many a thoughtless or forgetful husband or boyfriend by opening up after hours and providing the love-saving bouquet or handful of roses.
Countless students have worn her boutonnieres and corsages to school dances and reunions over the last 55 years. Out-of-town Silverton High School alumni rely upon her as their source for school and community news as well as knowing what annual gift they tended to make to friends and relatives.”
She was presented with an Honorary Silverton High School Diploma and was graduated with the SHS Class of 2008.
A Silverton mural was created in her honor. It adorns the south outside wall of her business, Silverton Flower Shop, at 311 N. Water St.
She is survived by, her son, Mason, and Marcia Branstetter, Silverton and a daughter Carla and Bernie Bolme, Salem. She had seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She also is survived by her sister, Evelyn Craycraft, Eureka, Kan.
She was preceded in death by her son, Barry Branstetter, who died in 1989 and her husband, Carl Branstetter who died in 1996.
Memorials are encouraged in her name to SHS Alumi Association or the Silverton First Christian Church. Arrangements were made by Unger Funeral Chapel.
