Norma Marie Herold set out on her next adventure the day before Thanksgiving.
Norma was the first child born to William and Mildred Griffith in Phoenix, Arizona on April 28, 1941. Following the war, the family moved back to Emmett, Idaho, where Norma was joined by younger sister Mary and little brother Ted.
Their house on Locust Street had a few acres and a barn, so Norma grew up with an assortment of livestock and chores. Although she might grumble about the mess, there wasn’t a critter she didn’t love.
As a child she contracted polio, and had to walk with a brace for a time. It gave her a profound gratitude for good doctors and nurses and modern medicine.
Shortly after her graduation from Emmett High School in 1960, some friends introduced her to Jim Herold, who was ranching in the Ola Valley. Jim was tall and lean with red curly hair. They were married in the Griffith Family backyard in June of 1961.
The Ola years were a whirlwind, with son David born in 1962 and daughter Anna in 1965. Along with raising kids they milked cows, raised beef cattle, horses, cow dogs, pigs and chickens. Herding cows to the Grazing Association ranch in High Valley or to the leased ranch on Third Fork was always exciting. Norma was an accomplished truck driver, tractor operator, cowgirl and Jill-of-all-trades.
The Ola ranch sold in 1969 and the family relocated to McCall. Here, she concentrated on being a homemaker and partner helping Jim build A-1 Painting, Red Barn Leathers and Bare Foot Moccasin Company. In 1975 the family moved to acreage west of Lakefork, and the horses, cows, pigs and sheep re-joined the Herold Funny Farm. Hauling livestock to auction in Caldwell or Cottonwood was always an adventure. More than once her clean house ended up as part of a lambing operation. She always took it with a grin, and took a lot of pride in the livestock.
Snowmobiles and cross country skis were a big part of winter. Summer time called for berry picking, mushrooming in the woods, a big garden and cutting firewood. The Jaycee’s Organization, Elks Club and Board of Directors for the Valley County Little Britches Rodeo were mixed in for a few years.
When the kids were in school Norma went to work in retail sales at Foster’s Furniture, and as a housekeeper at Shore Lodge and Hotel McCall. Seasonally she worked in the potato cellars during harvest and spring shipping. When Jim went to work for Valley County’s Road Dept, Norma was hired as a summer seasonal, flagging traffic and replacing road signs.
Norma retired in 2004 and in 2005 she and Jim moved again, to a beautiful property where Mann Creek joins the Weiser River. Life didn’t slow down much, as she and Jim spent time exploring back roads and indulging in their shared love for auctions and antique hunting in every thrift shop and yard sale in the area.
Norma’s final illness was sudden, a heart attack and stroke that overwhelmed her and was more than the fine doctors and nurses could cure. She passed peacefully, surrounded by family, including her beloved Jim.
Norma is survived by her husband of 63 years, James Herold; her son David Herold (Laurie); daughter Anna Clark (Kelly); granddaughters Jacqueline, Autumn and Madeline Herold and Ellyn Clark; her sister Mary Fox (Casey); brother Ted Griffith (Betty); and beloved nephews and nieces on both the Griffith and Herold sides. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Doctors, Nurses and staff who cared for her during this illness. Dr. Lore Wooton, Weiser EMS, Weiser Memorial Hospital, Weiser Care of Cascadia, West Valley Medical in Caldwell, and particularly the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at St. Lukes Boise. You folks are awesome.
At Norma’s request, there will be no services, but the family plans a remembrance potluck get-together after the holidays.
