Norma Loretta Hope

Norma Loretta (Osborn) Hope of Winterset, Iowa passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022. She was 89. After months of declining health, she died peacefully in her home in West Des Moines, IA with her sister Ethel Lee and beloved children by her side.
Norma was born on October 19, 1932 in Winterset IA to Fenner Newell Osborn and Etta Marie Campfield (Etta Osborn). As a girl she grew up on the family farm. As a young woman she attended Winterset High School and worked as a cashier at the Club Cafe, on the south east corner of the square in Winterset. This cafe was also the Continental Trailways bus depot in Winterset.
At the end of November, 1951, a Continental Trailways bus arrived back to Winterset, IA from Camp Carson, Colorado. It carried a young man named Dick Hope, home from the Korean war. The good Lord had her in that spot for a reason. She and Dick began their journey.
In 1952 Dick proposed to Norma at the Iowa State Fair in front of the Douglass Pharmacy Museum on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. For the next 68 years they were inseparable. They moved to Des Moines and raised a family. Norma worked as Lingerie Manger, then Assistant Buyer at Younkers downtown. Dick began a job as a Machinist at C.E. Ericksons in Des Moines. By 1958 she and Dick had three sons.
She left Younkers to devote her time to the family. She and Dick introduced the kids to Cub Scouts and then Boy Scouts and, with Eagle Scout son Mike, often attended the National Scout Training Center in Philmont, NM.
In 1967 Dick took a new job with Massey Ferguson as a Tool and Die Maker and the family moved to the Drake area. The entire family loved cycling and camping.
In the 1990s Norma and Dick were enjoying retirement. They pursued their new hobbies, antiques, collectibles, watches and clocks. Norma enjoyed crocheting, collecting antique dolls, and puzzling. In 1993 Norma and Dick retired to Sun Valley Lake in Ellston, IA. They spent the next twelve years enjoying their idyllic lake home. They spent winters in Arizona with son Mike.
In 2005 it was time to get back to the city to be closer to important services so they moved to West Des Moines. Norma was then in her 70's She and Dick continued to enjoy biking, garage sales and wintering in Arizona. Norma loved tending her yard and working her puzzles.
Norma was a dedicated, caring, wonderful soul. She is loved and will be missed by all who knew her!
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Juanita, and her brother Don.
Survivors include, children Rick Hope, Mike Hope, Dave Hope, sister Ethel Lee (Osborn) Tucker.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 12, at First United Presbyterian Church, 210 W Green St, Winterset, IA 50273. Inurnment will follow at Peru Cemetery in Peru, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Iowa Chapter. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.
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