Norma Lee Tridle

Norma Lee Tridle of Paxton passed away in her home on August 8, 2025. She was 84.

She was born at her parent's home in Sarben, Nebraska on October 28, 1941, the youngest surviving child of Glen and Doris Bryant. Norma was a blond-haired baby with long, light lashes and dark blue eyes that later turned green. According to her baby book, she wiped her own nose at 14 months, started helping with the dishes at 20 months, and managed to blow a note on her brother Boyd's cornet at 28 months. She grew up in Sarben with her parents and five siblings and was doted on as the youngest child. She entered Paxton Grade School in 1946 and graduated from Paxton High School in the spring of 1959.

After high school, Norma moved to Ogallala and worked for TRW Capacitors until she met and married Richard “Dick” Tridle on April 23, 1966, in Omaha. Their marriage produced two daughters, Dana Kumpost (Richard) and Julie Tridle, both of Lincoln.

Dick worked for Union Pacific Railroad, which caused them to spent the early years of their marriage moving often, living in Omaha, Columbus, NE; Woods Landing, WY; Harmony, WY; and Sarben, NE. In 1976, they moved into the home they were constructing together in the sandhills just north of Paxton.

Though the early years in the unfinished house were rough, to say the least, Norma did her best to not only make the house a home, but an appealing, orderly one to boot. Much of the house was built from salvaged materials, as were its furnishings and decor, which required Norma to teach herself refurbishing skills such as refinishing and reupholstering furnishings. Norma was a meticulous housekeeper and she loved decorating. The rooms of her home often looked more like small boutiques than living spaces. She loved collecting and arranging seasonal decor. Every nook and cranny of her home held decorative little treasures that changed with the seasons.

Norma loved hosting small parties and events. From weekly family potlucks, card parties, casino nights, Halloween parties, family holidays. etc. She belonged to Sarben Hobby Club and enjoyed coming up with creative projects, outings and gatherings for her turns as host. She, along with Dick, hosted epic family Easter gatherings with obstacle courses in the sandhills, treasure hunts, kite-flying contests, mouse races, and endless other shenanigans.

She was a firm but fun mother. You didn't mess up her house. You didn't sass her back. You did swear around her. You didn't lie to her. You just plain didn't cross her. BUT at the same time, she was a funny and fun mom. She made sure her children not only had toys to play with, but adventures to remember. She would set up kool-aid tea parties for her girls. She made them kooky bird marionettes to find hanging next to their stockings on Christmas morning. She and Dick took her girls on yearly family vacations to the Rocky Mountains or the Black Hills even when money was tight.

In 1994, Norma's life changed forever when she became a grandmother to the first of her two grandkids. She threw her entire self into that role, going all out for every birthday, every Christmas, every Easter. It was during those years that she started planning regular weekend trips for the family to Mahoney State Park, Platte River State Park, and Niobrara.

In 1997, Dick passed away. Several years later she met Rese “Pete” Pasely while working at Arby's in North Platte. They began a relationship that lasted until his death a few weeks before hers. In 2023, Norma sold the house on the hill and she and Pete moved together to a house in Paxton.

Norma is survived by her children Dana Kumpost and Julie Tridle, her son-in-law Richard Kumpost, her grandchildren Victoria Kumpost, and Josiah Kumpost, all of Lincoln; her sister Gayle Wid, along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and nephews and other family and friends.

Along with her husband Dick, she was preceded in death by her parents Glen and Doris Bryant; sisters Bernice Pieper, Cassie Welch and Vera Keller; her brother Boyd Bryant; three infant siblings; and her long-time partner Pete Pasely.

A celebration of life will be held in her honor will be held on Saturday, August 23 at 11 AM at the Paxton Community Center.

Memorial donated to North Platte Opportunity Center 501 N Bryan Ave, North Platte, NE 69101.

Online condolences may be left by going to www.drauckerfh.com.

Draucker Funeral Home is assisting the family.