Norma Jean Ward

Norma Jean Ward passed away on March 28,2023, surrounded by family at her home in Ventura. She was 88 years old. Born July 1, 1934, in St. Louis Missouri to parents Homer and Dorothy Pegram. Norma graduated from Webster Grove High School and attended Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar Missouri where she met and in 1954 married her husband of 51 years Jerry Ward.

In 1958 with two young children in tow, the family migrated to California. After several relocations and the birth of a third child the family ultimately landed in Ventura in 1969. Norma began work at the Ventura County Medical Center in the Auxiliary where she remained until relocating back to Missouri in 1980. In 1999 retirement and the desire to be closer to family brought her and Jerry back to Ventura. She once again became part of the VCMC Auxiliary in a volunteer capacity where she continued to serve until 2021.

Norma loved to serve and was an active participant in social activities as well as committees in her beloved community at Lemonwood Mobil Home Park where she made some of her most cherished friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Fred Kraut, brother Kenneth Kraut and husband Jerry. She is survived by her brother David (Henriette) Kraut of Tucson Arizona, her sister Diane Deffenbaugh of Buffalo Missouri. Sons Steve (Sharlene) of Camarillo, Scott (Ellen) of Ventura, and Roger of Spokane Missouri. Grandchildren Michael (Charlie) Ward, Denton (Melissa) Ward, Brittny (Brian) Forkin, Nikki (Ben) Reden, and Christina (Brennen) Rhodes. Great grandchildren Reed and Ryder Ward, Adelyn Rhodes, Andre Reden and Brooklyn Forkin.

A special thanks to the staff at Community Memorial Hospital and Livingston Memorial Hospice for their compassion and care.