Arlene Fern Gerhard Norris
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Arlene Fern Gerhard Norris
August 9, 1932- March 28, 2025
Arlene was born on a farm in Otoe County, Nebraska in the summer of 1932 to Claude and Nola Gerhard. She had two sisters, Janice Gerhard McIntosh and Lila Gerhard Oberle. Arlene graduated from Eagle High School where she played volleyball and was a cheerleader.
She attended Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska and ultimately graduated with a Bachelors Degree of Science in Education. Arlene taught school in Warrensburg, Missouri for a number of years before becoming a full-time mom to John and Sarah Norris.
Arlene’s spiritual home was Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence, Missouri. She was a long-time Sunday School teacher there and substitute teacher at the Messiah Lutheran School.
She loved her family, church, Mary Kay, and Kansas City Royals Baseball.
We wish to thank the wonderful staff at John Knox Village who took great care of Arlene in her last years.
A graveside memorial and celebration of life will be planned for Arlene on May 31, 2025. More details will be released at a future date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 613 S. Main Street, Independence MO 64050.
She is survived by: John Norris and his children; Joe Norris (Jennifer) great grand-children (Adeline, and Anderson), Susan Norris Brenner (Daniel), and Aaron Norris (Boitumelo). Also, by Sarah Berger and her children; Katherine Berger and Dorothy Berger.