Norma F. Koerber

Norma J. Koerber was called home on Wednesday October 19, 2016. She lived an amazing 91 years as a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Nurse Practitioner, Early Childhood Specialist, and Community Volunteer. Norma was born on August 31, 1925 in Alpena, Michigan the 4th of 6 children to Frederick and Mary Magdelene Lawrence. She graduated from St. Anne High School in 1942 and entered Registered Nurse training at Bay City Mercy Hospital earning her R.N. in 1946. Her Nursing career included work at Bay City General Hospital and as a member of the original staff that opened Tawas Hospital following the 1953 Tornado disaster there. She served the Bay County Health Department as a Public Health Nurse for 12 years before earning her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification from the University of Michigan in 1977 and a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Development from Central Michigan University in 1985. Her professional career was completed at the Bay-Arenac ISD where she held the post of Liaison Health Professional Project Find Coordinator for identifying at risk pre-school children in Bay and Arenac counties from 1979 until her retirement in 1990. Norma's retirement years have been filled with the joy of reading, travel and adventure, being a very involved Grandmother, and her continued devotion to education and lifelong learning. She volunteered for many community based organizations such as Studio 23, Brian's House, and Covenant Patient and Family Advisory Council and attended learning seminars every year and maintained her nursing license until her death. Norma married Walter L. Koerber in August, 1988 and he remained the love of her life for their 28 years together. He survives her. Also surviving are Her 5 children from her first marriage: Katherine Gravlin(Rob Nuhn), John Gravlin (Tracy), Karen Bartell(Arthur), Mary Jane Gravlin, and Julie Scheel (Rick) and 9 Grandchildren and 4 Great grandchildren. Her 5 step children; Kenneth Koerber, Karol Hages(Chip) Kalvin Koerber(Mary Ann), Kris Koerber(Tania), Kathy Koerber (Ken Sly) and 7 Step Grand Children and 1 Step Great Grandchild. At request of Norma cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will take place Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Officiating will be The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey D. Weenink. The family will be present at the funeral home on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to receive family and friends.