Norma Cleone Grover was born October 13, 1942 to William Grover and Ethel Hamm Grover. She passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at home after a battle with cancer.
Norma lived all her life in the Rockerville Community. She attended grammar school in the one room schoolhouse in Rockerville. Then she experienced a major shock when she attended Rapid City High School with so many other kids. She graduated in 1960.
Norma met and married the love of her life, Donald Lynde. They married on Good Friday, March 31, 1961. Her life was filled with many adventures and boy, did she have the gift to gab. She would introduce themselves as “Gabby and Crabby.” To this union was born three girls; Debra, Brenda, and Connie. Besides raising three girls and running a very loving and open home, Norma had many occupations over the years. She was a waitress in Rockerville. She worked at the Rapid City Credit Bureau and also cleaned movie theaters in town. She was also a very active member of the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department with many stories and adventures there. She babysat for a few local families. Norma’s doors were always open and the house full of kids. She also worked for the Children’s home cooking many meals and cleaning for the kids there. Some of those kids even made it to her home for the holidays or just a getaway. She also worked as a dog groomer. She did laundry and breakfast duties at a local motel. She had a paper route for the Rapid City Journal. And, perhaps the job she loved most, was working as event staff at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Her gift to gab was on full display there.
Norma had strong faith and love for Jesus. As a young lady she was only allowed to drive for church, so she attended services in Hill City at the Little White Church. Along with her family, her faith grew from there. She then attended Strathaven Wesleyan Church for many years, but was most recently a member of the First Wesleyan Church. She loved her church family very much.
Norma was very proud of her family. She fell in love with being a grandma and then a GG (Great Grandma). She leaves behind her husband Donald Lynde; daughters Debbie Gehrke (Larry), Brenda Lynde, and Connie Ferguson; grandchildren Shilo Lynde (Jennifer Siegfried), Teah Bell (Mikel), Amber Ogaard, James Richter (Brandie), Lyla Fahrenbruck (Taylor); great-grandchildren Corbin Prince, Bayleigh Ogaard, and Lucien Richter; sister, Betty Allison (Dennis). She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Ethel; brothers Budwin Grover and Norman Grover; and great-grandchild Nora Bell.