Norma Jean Monroe

Norma Jean (Rice) Monroe, age 89 of Knox and Scotland Counties in Missouri passed away June 30, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Norma was born June 22, 1936, in Plevna, Missouri the daughter of James Loraine and Mary Ruth (Campbell) Rice. She married James W. Rimer in April 1956 and they had three sons. In March of 1983 she married Robert W. Monroe and he preceded her in death in July of 1999. Norma was also preceded in death by her parents, one son Kent W. Rimer, one brother James Otis Rice and his wife Lois Ann, former spouse James W. Rimer, one brother-in-law A.G. Rimer, two sisters-in-law Mary Margaret Goodwin and Ruth Ellen Monroe and one nephew Mark E. Rimer.
Surviving are Keith J. (Tamara) Rimer of Whitefish, Montana, and Kirk L. (Jane) Rimer of Dallas, Texas, daughter-in-law Vandi Rimer (Michael) Carpino of Denver, Colorado, two step sons, Mark W. (Terri) Monroe and Darrell L. Monroe of Memphis, Missouri, two grandchildren, Meredith L. Rimer (Bill) Ajello, James L. (Katy) Rimer and five great grandchildren (Emerson, Finley, Griffin, Maggie and Molly) all of Dallas Texas. Additionally she is survived by seven nieces, Connie Jean (Roger) Johnson, Diana L. (Michael) Beets, Pamela S. Richmond and Virginia A. (Kenneth) Halterman all of Kirksville, Missouri, Mary Theresa (Paul) Mihalevich of Columbia, Missouri, Stacy J. (Cary) of Smithville, Missouri and Gigi Rimer (Darren) Draper of Edina, Missouri, three nephews James Clayton (Melissa) Rice, Alan G. (Stacy) Rimer, R. Kevin (Sherry) Goodwin and one sister-in-law Bebe Ann (A.G.) Rimer all of Edina, Missouri.
Norma attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse at Cedar Ridge, Missouri and the elementary school at Knox City, Missouri. She graduated in 1954 from Edina High School as her class valedictorian and then went to work as a bookkeeper at the Citizens Bank of Edina. She married Jim Rimer and was a devoted mother to their three boys. She was involved in their school and the PTA along with supporting the boys' scouting and sports activities. Later in life she worked for the American Scientific Corporation in Kansas City, where she was recognized nationally for her work. She moved back to northeast Missouri after meeting and falling in love with Bob Monroe. They had many wonderful years together traveling around the country and abroad. She loved living in in Memphis and helping Bob and his two sons with the farm. They shared a wonderful life together. Norma was an active member of the Memphis United Methodist Church, serving on its administrative council for many years. She was a member of the P.E.O. chapter C and also served as the treasurer of the Scotland County chapter of the American Cancer Society. As a devoted bridge player, she attended and organized countless bridge parties in and around northeast Missouri. Attending movies and live theatre were one of her passions, you could often find her traveling to local venues and supporting community productions. For almost twenty years she organized a "Birthday Club" for her local girlfriends where they would get together monthly for lunch to celebrate individual birthdays. She enjoyed books, birds and her plants. Norma read both the Edina and Memphis papers and watched the Nightly News regularly to stay on top of what was happening in her community and the world. She also enjoyed Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune along with the "Blue Bloods" television series. She particularly liked the family dinner scenes where everyone was gathered together to say grace before Sunday dinner. Her favorite meal was a McDonald's fish sandwich with fries and a Coke and her favorite dessert was pumpkin pie with coconut cream as a close second. Norma was a marvelous cook. Her boys loved her homemade noodles, vegetable soup and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Blessed with her beautiful handwriting she corresponded with those in her life by writing and posting letters to them. She always remembered a loved one's birthday or special event with a card and a handwritten note. Norma loved her community and referred to her many friends and family members as her angels.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 11 a.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.
Officiating the services will be Beverly Peters.
Burial will be in the Bee Ridge Cemetery southeast of Edina, Missouri.
Casket bearers will be Keith, Kirk and James Rimer, Mark and Darrell Monroe, Clayton Rice, Alan Rimer and Kevin Goodwin.
Memorials are suggested to the Bee Ridge Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to: Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, Missouri 63537. Online condolences may be left at www.hudsonrimerfh.com
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Hudson-Rimer Funeral Chapel