Norman Matheus

In Loving Memory Norman Russell Matheus, 88, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2009. Norm was born June 22, 1921, in Huntington Park, CA. During his early years in Southern California, Norm played baseball and helped with the family chores. During the Great Depression, he relocated to a small farm in Grant's Pass, Oregon, to work and attend high school. He joined the Navy on April 9, 1941, as a Navy Corpsman, Pharmacist Mate First Class, and reported to San Diego for medical training. On January 6, 1942, he left San Diego and headed to Samoa and Fiji for combat training. In the fall of 1942, Norm's battalion landed on Guadalcanal. Over the next six months, Norm helped save many lives as a Navy Corpsman in that famous battle in the South Pacific. On April 6, 1946, Norm and Lorraine were married and they settled down in Southern California to raise their family. For the next 40 years, Norm worked diligently for his employers and supported his loved ones in all their endeavors. He retired from Ralph's Grocery Company as their Director of Engineering in 1984. For the past 25 years, he has enjoyed retirement by spending time with Lorraine, his family and close friends in California, Nevada and Idaho. In 2002, Norm and Lorraine relocated to Boise to be closer to their oldest daughter (Sue), their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Norm was a patient and loving, husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He always made time to play with the kids, give them a hug and to leave them with a special word of wisdom and encouragement. Norm also enjoyed his church friends, Bible studies, pot-roast, playing cards and watching baseball with Lorraine. Norm is survived by his wife Lorraine Matheus, his sister Doris Timmons, his four children and their spouses, Bill and Sue (daughter) Boyles, Lou (son) and Irene Matheus, Wayne (son) and Sharlene Matheus and Rich and Cindi (daughter) Klena, his 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 16th at 1:30 pm at Valley View Retirement Community on 1130 N. Allumbaugh, Boise, ID, 83704; (208) 322-0311.