Norma Lee Whalen

Norma Lee Shearon Whalen passed away August 17, 2016 at Caring Hearts Assisted Living in Pocatello, Idaho after an extended illness. Norma was born on February 16, 1939 in Elk Point, South Dakota to Frederick and Mildred Cunningham Shearon. She is survived by three sisters, Marjean (Shearon) Gordon, Diane (Shearon) Taylor, and Debra Shearon. She grew up on her parents’ farm in Elk Point and graduated from Elk Point High School.
While attending the University of South Dakota (USD) in Vermillion, South Dakota, Norma met the love of her life, Calvin Whalen. Norma obtained her teaching degree and passed the love of learning on to her children, all of whom have graduated from college.
After graduating from USD Norma and Cal were married. While Cal worked for the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce in South Dakota they had three children, Scott Whalen (St. Louis, MO), Christy (Whalen) Sabel (Pocatello, ID) and Keith Whalen (Franklin, TN). In August 1971 they purchased and operated the Bidwell Motel in Pocatello, ID, making the big move west from Huron, SD. They fell in love with Idaho and enjoyed the hard work of being business owners. They were excellent owners and frequently allowed people to have a room who otherwise wouldn’t have had the money. Their children have many fond memories of growing up in a motel with their very own swimming pool!
In the early 80’s, due to the tough economy, they sold the motel. As always, they made it through together and continued to raise their family in Pocatello. In February 1982, Norma began working at Kraft, Inc. as a Distribution Manager, and later Cal and Norma moved to California so she could continue her career with Kraft. Norma retired from Kraft in 2002. Norma and Cal moved to Reno, Nevada to enjoy retired life.
Norma and Cal loved sports and followed the Atlanta Braves, Nashville Predators, and San Francisco 49ers. Norma enjoyed time with her family at the holidays, spending all night preparing the Thanksgiving turkey. Christmas was a very special time for Norma who saw to it that every season was magical and met with great joy! Other than the births of her three wonderful children and her fabulous grandchildren one of her life-long dreams was to travel to New England in the fall and see the leaves change. She and Cal were able to fulfill that dream when they traveled all over the Northern United States, saw the Liberty Bell, and visited every light house they could.
Children were always important to Norma. In her retirement she spent many hours volunteering with the schools in Reno to help children who were having trouble with reading. She would sit with them for hours and let them read to her in the Read to a Grandparent program. She also supported the Native American children’s school of South Dakota through various charities.
Cal preceded Norma in death on November 13, 2005. Norma spent many years after Cal’s passing traveling to each of her children’s houses. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow and participating in every special event or graduation that came along. With 11 grandchildren there were many events and travel between Reno, Pocatello, St. Louis, and Franklin!! Norma also had many dear friends she enjoyed spending time with, two very special ones were Carol Trefethren (Reno, NV) and Darlene Jackson (Chicago, IL). Norma is survived by her son, Scott Whalen (Kelly), Christy Sabel (Scott) and Keith Whalen (Anna), and grandchildren Casey, Jamie, Shaun, Allison, Corinne, Katie, Sarah, Zach, Meagan, Matthew, and Andrew. Her nephew Brian Fies, and nieces Brenda and Elisabeth Fies held a special place in her heart as she helped raise them for a time. Norma had many of her own grandchildren and many other children well beyond her immediate family thought of her as a grandmother! She loved them all!
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude of the wonderful people of Encompass Hospice. Their sheer love of life honors death.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 22, 2016 at 11:00 am in the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello, 232-0542, where family will receive friends one hour prior. Interment will be in the Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Pocatello. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com.
The family requests donations to support Alzheimer’s research, http:/act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=358340 (1.800.272.3900) in lieu of flowers.

 Service Information