Norma Jean (Spicka) Knoche

Norma Jean (Spicka) Knoche On April 25, 1932 Norma Jean (Spicka) Knoche was the second child born to Joseph and Josie (Kresak) Spicka in their family home at Tobias, Nebraska. Norma passed away at the age of 83 on August 17, 2015 at Select Specialty Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi. Norma grew up in Tobias, Nebraska and received her High School Diploma in 1949 from Milligan High School, Milligan, NE. She started teaching immediately after high school while continuing her education with night and summer classes at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln NE (UNL). She earned her undergraduate degree in Special Education , and a graduate degree in Library Science while attending UNL. During a teaching career that spanned 50 years, she taught K-­‐12 students in a one room schoolhouse known as Saline County District 100, Kindergarten at Exeter Public Schools in Exeter, Nebraska, and was a Special Education teacher at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Geneva, NE. Norma was united in marriage to James Louis Knoche on June 3, 1956, and they resided in Friend, NE. To this union, a daughter Vona Lynn was born. While living in Nebraska Norma was active with the Saline County Historical Society and Museum in Dorchester, Nebraska where she was one of its founding members. She also belonged to Saline Center ZCBJ/WFLA Lodge # 389. In addition she was very active in the IOOF/Rebekah Organization. Over the years she held Rebekah Lodge memberships in Friend and Fairmont Nebraska. During this time she served as Noble Grand, State President, Grand Matriarch of the Matriarch/Patriarch Militant, and also participated in Encampment within the Rebekah Organization. Additionally she enjoyed traveling and spending time with family at holiday gatherings. In 2005 Norma and James relocated to Ocean Springs, MS to be nearer to daughter Vona and grandchildren. During this time they enjoyed exercising and volunteering at the YMCA. Norma became a docent at the Gulf Islands National Seashore after Jim’s death in 2008. Most recently Norma resided in a Skilled Nursing Facility at Sentry/River Chase Villages in Gautier Mississippi. There, she actively participated in resident activities, and always tried to find ways to “liven the atmosphere”. Norma was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Josie Spicka, her husband, James Knoche, her brother Alvin C Spicka, Sister-­‐in-­‐Law D Elaine Spicka, and Nephew Kim C Spicka. Survivors include her Daughter Vona ( Dr Gregory) Wawryszczuk of Ocean Springs MS; Grandsons Andre Wawryszczuk of New Orleans LA, and Alexander Wawryszczuk of Ocean Springs, MS; Nieces Debra (Marvin) Polacek of Harvard, NE, Sue (Conrad) Fix of Cortland, NE, Donna Scholl of Friend NE; and a Nephew Kevin (Kathy) Spicka of Friend, NE. Memorial services will held on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 2:00pm at Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit one hour prior. Arrangements are being made through Bradford-­‐O’Keefe Funeral Homes, Ocean Springs, MS. Memorials can be directed to the Saline County Historical Society and Museum, ATTN: Mary Anne Placek, 2259 County Road 1400, Western, NE 68464.