Norma R Lauber

In Memory ofNorma R. (Kuiken) Lauber Norma Ruth (Kuiken) Lauber was the first child born to Harm and Mary (Kollman) Kuiken in a farm house five miles north of Downs, Kansas on April 23, 1932 and departed this life surrounded by her sons and Bob at her home on Monday, August 18, 2008, at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 26 days. Norma grew up in the first years of her life in this country home during the depression and remembers the kerosene lamps lit during the daytime because the sky was so dark with dust. In 1940, when Norma was seven, the family moved to a better "river" farm on the Solomon River near Glade, Kansas. Norma attended Lone Star District #9, walking the two miles to school everyday with her sister. Norma and Helen remained best friends as well as the closest of sisters all their life. Later, after her family moved to Phillipsburg, she graduated from high school with the class of 1950, a National Honorary Society member. Norma continued her love of education, graduating from Colorado Woman's College in Denver where she was a member of Delta Tau Kappa, LaTrittone, and Tri Chi and later attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She was united in marriage to Wendell W. Lauber of Geneva, Nebraska on March 22, 1953 and to this union four sons were born: Jerry David, Bryan John, Bradley Alan and William Joseph. Norma taught for two years in the Ohiowa Public School system teaching all grade school and high school vocal music before the birth of her first son. While raising her four sons, Norma taught piano lessons in her home. She also enjoyed renovating homes for rental purposes. History and genealogy was very important to Norma, especially owning the original homestead with her sister where they were born a