Norma Hazel Stepp
March 20, 1921 - August 27, 2014
Obituary
Norma H. Johnson Steele Beseman Stepp
Born March 20, 1921 in Spokane to Preston and Lucille (Kirk) Johnson; died August 27, 2014 in Bellevue.
Raised In Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Norma married Harold Steele in 1938 and lived in Wolf Point, Montana were daughter Karen Kay and son James were born. After a move to Ceoeur d’Alene where daughter Janet was born, the couple divorced. Norma worked in California, then moved to Seattle where she attended Mohler Barber College and had her own shop for a time.
In 1948, Norma married Elmer Beseman; daughter Andrea was born in Seattle, the family moved to Mercer Island, then to their house in Bellevue. Widowed in 1966, Norma worked at Kenna Metals, then at Boeing doing a variety of jobs.
In 1969, she married Jim Stepp and moved with him to Anchorage, Alaska “where the moose strolled in the yard.” The couple enjoyed living in Alaska for 15 years until Jim retired and they moved to homes, first in Buckley, then Bellevue, moving into a Bellevue retirement complex when home ownership became too burdensome.
Norma and Jim also lived part time in Yuma, Arizona where Norma had numerous friends and enjoyed many trips into the desert wilds.
Norma enjoyed gardening and painting. She was a long-time member of the Chugach Gem and Mineral Society in Anchorage and a Seattle camera club. She also enjoyed traveling, having visited 10 countries and fulfilled a childhood dream of visiting South America.
Norma is survived by husband Jim, Bellevue; daughter Karen Kay (Mike) Van Eaton, Bellevue; son James, Bellevue; daughter Janet (Navarre) Woosley, Brookings, Oregon; daughter Andrea (Stephen) Harrison, Encinita, California; many levels of grandchildren and a large, extended family who love her.
A private graveside observance will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Bellevue. Remembrances may be made in her honor to the Salvation Army, 911- 164th Ave., NE, Bellevue, WA 98008 or Doernbecker Children’s Hospital, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Pk. Rd., Portland, OR 97239.
Our hearts are saddened in the passing of Norma. She was a wonderful person who’s memory will live on in the hearts of so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
My prayers are with her, Uncle Jim and the family. Rest in peace.
Jim & Norma are two of the finest people we have known. Not a lot of social time together, but I saw Jim a lot on Alaska roads and met Norma a few times in Alaska and Seattle and in Arizona also. We are sorry for the loss of Norma and will keep in touch with Jim.