Norma J. Ray, 77, of Gering, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Her funeral service will be held at 10am on Monday, March 21, 2022, at Zion Evangelical Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Andy Griess officiating. Services will be livestreamed on Bridgman Funeral Home Facebook Page. Interment will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. Visitation will be Sunday, March 20 from 4-7pm at Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff. Norma had requested that in lieu of any flowers, memorials in her honor be made in care of either the Zion church or Gering Schools Foundation. Online condolences may be made by viewing Norma’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.
Norma was born June 25, 1944, in Scottsbluff, NE to Edward and Martha (Propp) Meisner. She married Roger Ray August 10, 1969, and to this union two children were born, Melanie and Matthew.
She graduated from Gering High School in 1962 and obtained her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State College. She was an elementary teacher in the Gering School system for 35 years, spending most of her time working with students on their reading and literacy skills. She was also a member of the National Education Association and Nebraska State Education Association. Her faith life was very important to her, and she was a life-long member of Zion Evangelical Church devotedly serving as the organist for 50+ years until ill-health forced her retirement.
Norma loved being actively involved in organizations which included Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary women’s educational sorority, PEO Chapter GI, Opportunist Project Club and American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. She was the Chairperson of the Old Settler and Half Century Club meetings during Oregon Trail Days. The friendships she developed in these organizations were invaluable to her.
A great joy for Norma was being a proud grandmother and supporter of her grandkid’s programs, activities and sporting events. She and Roger even opened their home for lunch once a week for her high-school grandkids and their friends. She was always eagerly willing to travel to wherever her grandkid’s activities took her and couldn’t wait for the next adventure. She dutifully scrapbooked all the memories for her family to cherish. A highlight for her was two trips with her entire family to Walt Disney World where lots of laughs were shared. Norma was a great cook, and she was well-known for her pickles which were enjoyed by many.
Norma is survived by her husband, Roger, daughter Melanie (Tim) Kreider, son Matthew (Andrea) Ray, grandchildren Mikayla and Baily Kreider, Turner, Madison, Ryland and Tatum Ray, sister-in-law Debbie Murphy, niece Janelle Todd, and nephew Tyler Murphy.
She is preceded in death by her parents Edward and Martha Meisner, brothers Norman and Donovan Meisner, in-laws Delbert and Louise Ray and brother-in-law Gary Murphy.
