Mary Van Norman

Mary Van Norman (our “Slowpoke Turtle”) gained her wings as she passed peacefully at her home in Powell on Feb 18, 2023. Born on May 16, 1941 in Auburn, WA to Cornelis and Elsie van Putten, she was 1 of 9 children growing up on dairy farms in the Seattle/Tacoma area and graduating from high school in Enumclaw, WA. She met and married the love of her life (Ken Van Norman, her “Wyoming Cowboy”) while he was stationed at the Fort Lewis Army Base near Tacoma, WA and moved to Wyoming in 1965 where they lived in Powell, Edgerton, Worland, and then settled back in Powell in 1970, where she lived for almost 53 years.
Mary was a caregiver from her early teens until the last couple of years of her life. When home
healthcare providers were required to have a CNA license, she passed the exam with a 100% and was asked to help teach the class. Some of her greatest achievements were assisting people to live out their last days at their home rather than having to go to a nursing home.
Mary was a devoted and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sibling, and friend. Mary was proceeded in death by her husband Ken, her father, her mother, and 4 siblings. She is survived by 3 sisters (Joanne (Ron) Miller, Anna Petchnick, and Eileen Mayer) and 1 brother (Cornelis van Putten Jr); daughter (Donna Van Norman – Taylor) and son (Tom (Shellie) Van Norman); 5 grandchildren (Annie (Diesel) and Amie McWilliams; Chris, Samantha, and Jacob Van Norman); and 6 great-grandchildren (Jack, Anna Leigh, Quincy, Kensleigh, Mavrik, and Mason).
Mary was dearly loved and will be missed by many! Per her request, there won’t be any services. Her wishes were that everyone remember the enjoyable experiences that they had with her throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of their choice in Mary’s name. Memories can be shared on the Thompson Funeral Home website at
https://www.thompsonfuneral.net/obituaries.