Norma Jean Veatch

Norma Jean Veatch passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 25, 2025, after a day filled with laughter, teasing, and joking with the wonderful staff at Orchard Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center. A special thank you to the staff for always playing along and taking such great care of her.

Norma was born on June 7, 1939, in Russell Springs, KS, to Johnny and Delnora Cruse. She was the fourth of their six children. A few years later, her family relocated to Crawford, CO, where she spent most of her childhood. After graduating from high school in Crawford, she moved to Grand Junction, CO, where she worked at Walker Drug Store. It was then that she met the love of her life, Neil Veatch. The two were married on April 9, 1960, and together they built a beautiful life, raising six ornery boys who inherited their mother’s mischievous sense of humor.

Norma dedicated many years to being a stay-at-home mom, finding joy in loving, teaching, and playfully teasing her boys; all while doing her best to keep them in line. Later, she embarked on a new chapter as a teacher’s assistant at Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary, where she had the opportunity to nurture and guide countless children. She cherished every moment with her students, always teaching, laughing, and making sure they felt cared for. After retiring from the school, Norma embraced life on their small family farm, tending to chickens, cows, pigs, and a particularly stubborn donkey.

Norma was truly selfless, always giving and pouring love into others. She loved wholeheartedly and fearlessly, always embraced the bright side and brought joy to those around her. She completed her working career as a greeter at the local Walmart, because to Norma, no one was ever a stranger. She had a way of making everyone feel welcomed, seen, and loved.

After the passing of her beloved husband, Norma continued living on the farm until her family decided for her to move in with her son, Rusty. She then moved into a nursing home where she continued her lifelong habit of good-natured teasing and lovingly embracing all those around her. Norma loved baking, sewing, puzzling, gardening, and most of all, spending time with family. She treasured time with her grandchildren, passing down her wisdom, tricks, and most importantly, her baking and cooking skills. Norma was famous for her delicious cinnamon rolls, german chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate-covered potato chips. During Christmas, Norma would fill the back room with an array of homemade candy confections, lovingly made to share with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and anyone she wanted to bless with her generosity and love.

Norma is survived by her sons Bruce (Reenie), Rusty (Debbie), Craig (Debbie), and Bryan (Alexia); daughters-in-law Tonja and Jennifer; 17 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, Neil, two of their sons, Dennis and Roger, her parents and her siblings (Boyd, Melvin, Pauline, Nola, and David),

Celebration of Life for Norma

Please join us in honoring and remembering Norma at the Redlands Community Center (2463 Broadway, Grand Junction, CO) on Sunday, April 6th from 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM.

Burial services will be held on April 7th at 3:00 PM at the Veterans Cemetery of Western Colorado (2830 Riverside Parkway).

We appreciate your love and support during this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation in honor of Norma Veatch at https://childrensdiabetesfoundation.org/donate/ OR donation checks can also be made payable to Children’s Diabetes Foundation and mailed to 3025 S. Parker Road, Suite 110 Aurora, CO 80014