Norma Lee Nelson

Norma Lee (Trennert) Nelson passed away on December 30, 2014 and was embraced in the arms of her Lord, following a valiant battle with lung disease. She was a woman of deep faith and was devoted to her family. The love and support of her family, her hanai family (the Carothers) and close friends, her two church ohana, as well as her deep faith in her Lord, sustained her and gave her comfort and peace. Thanks be to God!

Norma was born to the late Col. Robert Anthony Trennert (ret. USAF) and Mabel Valentine (Chestnut) Trennert in Bell, California on August 20, 1940. She received a B.S. in home economics from UCLA, where she met her husband, the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Nelson. She completed graduate studies at Los Angeles Trade Technical Institute in fashion design. She supported her husband through his doctoral studies and seminary by working as a social worker to the elderly.

Moving to the far north in 1965 with Bob, a circuit riding pastor/priest, and their 6 month old son, Erik, Norma immersed herself in Alaskan life. Over 36 years they lived in Kenai, Fairbanks and Anchorage. In Kenai, she gave birth to their second child, Lynette, far away from a hospital and during typical Alaska temperatures reaching -20 degrees F. Embracing her new Alaska home she experienced moose hunting and salmon fishing. She prepared smoked salmon, made mukluks, mittens, and parkas. She enjoyed skiing and raising her children.

Norma was an artist at heart, apprenticing with world renowned Margarit Wildenhain, a ceramic artist of the Bauhaus school, at Pond Farm, California. She became a well-respected studio artist in her own right exhibiting in many galleries and museums and instructing at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, through the years.

She loved to travel and covered much of the globe with her husband, Bob, living and spending significant time in Switzerland, Chile, Indonesia, Mexico, and Maui. They both loved to bare-boat sail with their close friends, Tom and Betsy Turner, experiencing sailing adventures around the globe. Norma and Bob retired and left Alaska in 2001. They settled in Kihei on Maui and found themselves welcomed and embraced by the people of Keawala`i Congregational Church in Makena and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Lahaina. Norma loved being close to Alexia, her grand daughter, and encouraging and affirming her.

Norma is survived by her husband Bob of Kihei, her son Erik Nelson and his wife Rainee of Seattle, her daughter Lynette and her husband Daniel Peavy, and her grand daughter Alexia Kai Peavy of Kihei, Maui. Her brother Robert Trennert, Jr. and his family who live in Tempe, AZ also survive her.

Norma will be memorialized at Holy Innocents’ Church in Lahaina at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9th. On Saturday, January 10th, Norma will be remembered and celebrated at Keawala`i Church in Makena with a luncheon reception, following the casting of her ashes upon the waters of Makena Bay. The Reverends Amy Crowe and Kealahou Alika will share in the celebration of both events.