Norma A. Elwell age 91 of Independence, Missouri passed away Sunday August 20, 2017 at the Oak Grove Nursing and Rehab Center. A Memorial service will be 2 p.m. on Saturday August 26, 2017 with a visitation starting at 1 p.m. at the New Salem Funeral Home in Independence, Missouri. Contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice or for Parkinson’s Disease Research.
Norma was born on October 5, 1925 in Knob Noster, Missouri the daughter of Hugh D. and Neva V. (Norman) Poort. She found her calling when she opened Norma’s Beauty Shop in the basement of her home in Independence. She was the heart of charity and was always there to help those in need. She was very proud to be a “Rosie the Riveter” at Pratt and Whitney during the war and later worked at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster while her husband was overseas. She loved the color lavender and was a member of the RLDS church. For Norma it was very important to attend church and to be baptized.
Norma is survived by four children: Luana (the late Ralph) Bessmer of Independence, Mo. Dennis Elwell of Lee’s Summit Mo. Leah Elwell of Olathe, Ks., and Kevin (Brenda) Elwell of Blue Springs, Mo. Seven grandchildren: Denise, Eric, Mark, Kimberly, Adrien, Amy, and Zahra. Twelve great grandchildren: Derek, Megan, Connor, Kaitlin, Briar, Molly, Micha, Briley, Joshua, Hannah, Tabi, and Luke. Two great-great grandchildren: Evan, and Raelynn. Three sisters: Joan Marr, June Williams, and Diana Ellison. Also surviving are many nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in by her parents, husband John Hughes Elwell, grandsons Andrew, and Matthew, six brothers: Curtis, Paul, Robert, Gary, Merlin, and Ronnie. Four sisters: Shirley, Joyce, Gail, and Pearl
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence MO 816-796-8600