Norma Ann Eames

Norma Ann Nygren Eames, 93 of Menan, passed away Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.  She was Born August 11, 1924 on the family farm in Boone County, Nebraska to Edwin Albert Nygren and Anna Albertina Sandquist Nygren.  She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, and was raised and attended schools in Boone County Nebraska, graduating from Newman Grove High School. She continued her education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.  She met Second Lieutenant William Eames at a dance when he was stationed at the Lincoln Air Force Base during World War II.  Bill was a bombardier/navigator.  It did not take them long to fall in love and when Bill got out of the service they married on March 25, 1947 at First Lutheran Church in Lincoln.  They then left for their honeymoon to Bill’s home state of Idaho where they made their home, became farmers and raised their family.  They were blessed with six children.  Norma taught 4-H classes for 35 years.  While raising five children and a big garden, she went back to school and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.  She taught elementary school in Lincoln, Nebraska and in Menan, Idaho for 24 years. She gave her heart and soul to teaching, many of her former students told her she had been a great inspiration to them and influenced their lives for the better.  Later, she earned a degree in Library Science and started the Library in Menan, Idaho.  She enjoyed working in and overseeing the library for the next 34 years, retiring at the age of 77.  Norma enjoyed helping others and volunteering in the community.  She served in many organizations and fund-raising events and was named Woman of the Year by her sorority, Epsilon Sigma Alpha.  She helped raise thousands of dollars for St. Jude’s Cancer Research, especially for children with leukemia.  St. Jude’s invited her to Memphis, Tennessee on more than one occasion to honor her for her efforts.  She has also headed bikeathons, book fairs and other charities.  She enjoyed writing songs, poems and skits and playing the piano.  She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Eames of Sun City, Arizona, Mary Lee Eames of Long Beach, California; sons, William Mark (Cheri) Eames, of Garland, Texas, John E. (Elaine) Eames, of Kearns, Utah; sister, Marjorie Mercer of California; and 8 grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” George Eames, her precious infant daughter, LeAnne, and her brother, Kenny. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2017 at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby.  A memorial service will follow from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.