Norma Jane Roudebush, 89, of La Grande, died peacefully on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Grande Ronde Hospital inLa Grande. At her request, there will be no service.
Norma was born on February 22, 1936 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to Nellie and Walter Whittet. She became the youngest of six siblings, each born just one year apart. In 1940 they moved to a farm in Weiser Idaho.
Norma attended Sunnyside school outside of Weiser, where she forged lifelong friendships. She participated in sports and could move sprinkler pipe like no other. She graduated high school in 1954. One of her loves was singing with her sisters. She loved music, playing pinochle and solitaire on her iPad in her later years. On January 17, 1955, she married Harold Roudebush and they started their family in Weiser. They had four children, Kimber Lee Adkins, Dana Marie Ellis (Jimmy) Helen Gaylene Royal (Gordon) and Thomas Walter Roudebush.
Harold and Norma moved the family to La Grande in 1969 for Harold’s job on the Union Pacific Railroad. Norma had been a seamstress for many people in Weiser and found her love of antiques and refinishing when they moved to La Grande. Her first project was an old player piano. From there it blossomed into a hobby people would seek her out for. She was very meticulous when it came to her projects. Norma had a huge heart and loved her family dearly. One of her joys was preparing family dinners. Harold would grow the garden and Norma would can pickles and tomatoes for days. She would welcome strangers into her home and make them feel like family.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband; parents; siblings, Norman Whittet, Eugene Whittet, Hazel Cada andDee Luedlloff. She is survived by her sister, Helen; four children; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren andnumerous nephews and nieces. She is finally at peace but will be sorely missed by all that loved her.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com
