Norma M. Newland, age 96, passed Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Prairie Community Hospital in Terry, Montana, where she had resided for the past 9 years.
She was born Norma Jean Mickel on October 17, 1928, in Wheatland, Wyoming while her parents Carl and Evelyn (Hall) were visiting Evelyn’s family. They were living in Hardin, MT at the time.
Her first 13 years were spent living in California, Oregon, and Montana, she also gained two brothers during this time, Arthur Owen and Gary Allen. They were living in Boulder, Montana when she started high school and there she chose to stay when the next move came along. Norma was on the girls’ basketball team and involved in all the school activities, she loved school. She also worked in the local Doctor’s office. It was there she met and married Hi Whitlock, had her daughter Christine, and started her own life.
Here again was a life of moving, but they managed to stay in Montana, from Boulder to Miles City to Pablo to Butte to Sidney and finally to Jordan. Here Norma put her roots down to stay, Hi moved on and Chris went to live her life.
She met and later married Vaughn Newland, a local dirt contractor. So began a new life, one of staying in one place and really belonging to a community. She enjoyed it immensely. Joining the VFW Auxiliary was a highlight; she held many offices and enjoyed the floorwork & community with the other wives.
Their home became a landing spot for many country high schoolers throughout the years. From overnights to the full school year, they had a home to stay in. A few (not all by any means) were: Betty and Skip Olson, Brenda and Bill Drew, Jeff, Mike, and Anita Landers, Luci and Kathy Helm, Travis Browning, and Jackie Artz. They are all still considered family.
In the fall of 1996, they decided to retire from the construction business, had an auction and sold the machinery and outbuildings. Vaughn took over the yard and garden work and Norma kept busy with VFW, the house, and sewing. They liked to travel and made several trips through the years, from Florida to Alaska and in between. They were always ready for a card party or helping family and friends.
Norma lost Vaughn in the Winter of 2009 and after a year or so decided to move closer to Chris and the grandkids. She bought a trailer and moved it to Terry, Montana. The summer of 2015 she went to live with Cheryl and Jeff until her move to Prairie Community Hospital due to health issues.
Norma is survived by her daughters Christine of Ismay and Naomi (Vern) Pluhar of Huntley; grandchildren Dawn (John) Ripley of Bozeman, Larry (Angie) Keltner of Hardin, Pam (SJ) Cayer of Lambert, Cheryl (Jeff) Morrison of Terry, Wayland (Mary) Pluhar of Cohagen, and Burt (Monique) Keltner of St. Maries, Idaho; 16 great-grandchildren and 4 great-greatgrandchildren.
Norma is preceded in death by both her parents; her three brothers; and two sisters; and both husbands.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, with family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Jordan. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the VFW Hall in Jordan. Interment will follow in the family lot of Pioneer Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Norma’s name to the Jordan Auxiliary Ladies Group or the Terry Library.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday January 24, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday January 24, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
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Kathy Helm says
Oh Norma, may you rest in peace. You were always so kind to open up your home to me in my high school years. I remember so many good things about you such as your famous sugar cookies, the time you fed me tongue and didn’t tell me until after I ate it and your friendly smile when I got home from school. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. You will be missed.
Monte Fitch says
Chris, Sorry For your loss, hugs
Deb Currey Terrett says
Chris…your Mom was such a special lady. Norma was always there to lend a hand and gave so much time to the Jordan community! May you be comforted in knowing she lived a long and full life! God’s Blessings.
Mary Ann Murray says
Oh what a nice lady. I have wonderful memories of Norma. It doesn’t seem like she should be 96 until I really think about taking her zippers to put in a coat or something and remembering that was 25 or so years ago. RIP Norma. My sympathies are with all of her family. Norma was a great person.
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Chris and family,
Worked with your mom for many years at the VFW. She kept it up and running. Our deepest sympathy on your loss. God Bless!
Jackie Stroh says
Condolences to the family. I had the pleasure of taking care of Norma on numerous occasions when I was a traveling Health care Staff in Terry. She was one on my favorites and always like doing for herself when I was around when she was still ambulatory she liked her independence. Rest In Peace Norma!!
Gary and Janie Owens says
Chris, Norma was such a lovely woman and she had a big heart. She left the world a better place and our hearts go out to you.
Janie Owens says
Our hearts go out to you, Chris. Norma was a lovely lady with a huge heart.
Cynthia Gregg says
Condolences. I have so many warm memories of Norma from all my years in Jordan.
Sally Fitch Ness says
So very sorry for your loss. Norma was a wonderful lady. She will be missed
Delphine Coon says
Christine and all of your family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Delphine
Mitzi Beecher says
So sorry to hear about her passing prayers and God Bless you all.
Luci Dutton says
What a wonderful woman Norma was. I have so many fond memories of my time spent with her and Vaughn. Each morning started with the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying. It was typical to catch them dancing to Lawrence Welch show music in their living room. They always made sure their extra “kids” were taken care of and that they knew the latest news going on in our lives. Norma taught me so much about hospitality and serving the community she lived in.
I send my sympathies to her entire family and all who loved her.
Robin and Bob Sainsbury says
Im so sorry for your loss. God bless your family.
Cindy Stanton says
My sincerest sympathy to all of Norma’s family and friends. Norma was always kind, talented and so involved with our community. She was truly a blessing to many. She had a life well lived.
Muff Engdahl says
Chris, your mom was such a wonderful, special lady. So many memories growing up with her and Vaughn. Thoughts and prayers to all your family. Love Muff
Bev Harbaugh says
What a fun, spunky, talented lady. I didn’t realize she hadn’t grown up in Jordan, she was always so involved in our community. I missed her when she left Jordan and moved to Terry….she touched so many lives. God be with you, Chris, and all your family.
Bev and Wade
Kelly Childers says
Chris, I remember the countless times we were at Vaughn and Norma’s throughout my childhood years well into adulthood. Time passes without pause and then everything and everyone is gone. I know without a doubt that there are card parties and chats over coffee. Those were the good old days-wish we could have one more get together at your mom’s home. You have been so lucky to have had her for this long. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone.
Andrea Miller says
Keltner family so sorry for the loss of a loved one. Remember all the great memories of her.
Richard and Pam Galla says
Sorry for your loss
Donald & Betty Lou Weeding says
Remembering all the card parties we had over the years. We all had a lot of fun together now only a few of us left. Norma was a great seamstress and I remember her helping me when I was making a dress jacket for Donald. – many, many years ago. Rest in Peace!
Glenn and Katie Hageman says
Chris, thinking of you at this sad time. Your Mom was a classy, pretty and nice lady. She was always dressed to the nines, with that beautiful hair. Such a pillar of the community and talented seamstress, who tackled all of my Mom’s and my alterations! You know the story of the dress with the coat with sequins!!! May peace be with you as you go forward.
Glenn and Katie Hageman
Ken and Ida Lacquement says
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time, God Bless and be with you all.