Norma Pauline Ackermann

PACIFIC GROVE - Norma Pauline Ackermann, 94, was born in Young America, MN on February 19, 1912 to Minnie (Stiewe) and August H. Ackermann. As a teenager she learned to play piano and to quilt and embroider, all of which were life long passions. She began her teaching career in one room schools with 8 grades in 1931. Her responsibilities included being principal, handing out ration cards, testing new curriculum, President of the Carver County Teachers Association, and taking on difficult schools because of her reputation as a disciplinarian with love. Norma moved to Milton, WA in 1944 to marry the Rev. Don H. Glenn and rejoiced a year later at the arrival of her first and only child, Alice Ann Glenn. Norma taught elementary school and always included music and drama. She had a life long love of music, played both piano and organ, and enjoyed attending concerts. She played piano for many venues, including the churches where her husband ministered in Milton, Tacoma, PeEll, Tumwater, Auburn, and Pacific, Washington. She and Don were foster parents to many teenage boys. In 1954 Norma was initiated into Delta Kappa Gamma, a teacher's honorary and service organization. In 1958 Norma received her B.A. in Education at the University of Puget Sound. She was part of a pilot group trying team teaching. She retired after 20 years of teaching in WA. The family always was traveling, and Norma joined girlfriends to do that after she was widowed in 1972. In retirement she taught ESL and GED students. For ten years she enjoyed the companionship of Rudolph Siewert. In 1991 Norma moved to Paradise, CA. She was very active in her church, a volunteer at a community resale shop, took more time for gardening, sewing and baking and enjoyed the companionship of Vern Withuhn. Norma was a Volunteer in Mission as a tutor for four months in 1992 at the age of 80 in Espanola, NM She started coming yearly to Monterey Dixieland Jazz. April 2002 Norma moved to Forest Hill Manor in Pacific Grove where she was active with quilting, befriending and teaching English to adult foreign students, and making recycled cards. She played piano and led meditations for Bible Fellowship. For three years she tutored children one day a week in East Salinas with her daughter. In 2004 Norma received her 50 year pin for Delta Kappa Gamma. Norma died peacefully surrounded by family and friends at Pacific Grove Convalescent Hospital on February 22nd, just having celebrated her 94th birthday in grand style three days before. She is survived by her daughter, Rev. Alice Ann Glenn, a cousin Ronald Stiewe, nephews James Ackerman and Raymond Thompson, niece Gloria Barber, numerous great nieces and nephews and two step sons, William and Charles Withuhn. The Memorial Service will be at Monterey United Methodist Church, Saturday, March 4 at 1:30 p.m., the Rev. Linda Ford officiating. Norma requested NO flowers. She wanted memorials given to "University of Puget Sound" for the Glenn Family Scholarship. They can be sent Attn: Stephen C. McGlone, UPS, 1500 Warner, Tacoma, WA 98416. Arrangements are by the Paul Mortuary.