Dearest mom (Norma), 

I will never forget your beautiful smile, laughter and joking around, especially when I am being too loud, you tell me, "good grief, you are too loud".  I will miss the very special mornings with the yogurt, bacon, muffins and fresh fruit.  You will always be in our hearts forever with joy, peace and blessings.  Thank you for giving me Patches.  She has been well taken care of.  I am having fantastic memories with her.  Tell dad hello and I want you to rest in paradise.

Love always and forever,

Ralph, Theresa & Patches (Boogaard) Navarro  XO

I was a young girl when my favorite uncle brought a beautiful girl, Norma, to join our family.  It was so romantic to see their love for each other.  I was so happy for them that they could go live at the coast when they first got married.  He looked so handsome in his army uniform and she was so pretty beside him.  They were dedicated to each other all their married life. When Cindy was born, Norma came to our home to gain strength and we got to help take care of the baby. Bert would often tell me "I love her" even when the alzheimers took over her life.  Norma always had a ready smile and loved people.  She took care of my youngest daughter, Amy, when I went to work. I will always remember her sweet, quiet spirit with a ready smile.  She will be missed .

When I think of Norma Boogaard (aka Aunt Norma) only positive memories come to mind.  In fact I don't think I can recall one bad time with Aunt Norma.  She never raised her voice, she only spoke with kindness, and always made your feel loved.  The first thing that comes to mind when I hear her name is cookies, pies, and wonderful holiday meals.  Aunt Norma and Uncle Bert are essential to many of my fondest childhood memories.  I recall one Easter when I was about 9 years old spotting a small garter snake.  I went to tell everyone about it and was convinced by Uncle Bert it was harmless.  I headed out to the bush to try and catch it, I was on my hands and knees hunting the little critter and still a little on nervous side.  Suddenly something tapped my foot and made a hissing sound, I sprung off the ground like a startled cat.  When I turned around there was Aunt Norma laughing and laughing, she had snuck up and got me good.  Aunt Norma, she was loving, caring, kind, and could always make you smile.  Good bye Aunt Norma, thanks for all the love and great memories.

What a wonderful and gracious lady she was.  I remember years ago after a Sunday night service Cindy and I went over for grilled cheese sandwiches and BBQ chips.  She stated, "Dave your stomach was growling all through church, so I made you 2 sandwiches and brownies to go with it."  I will never forget those days.  Bye Norma and you made it to Jesus.
Dave Card.

Hi Mom - I am having a hard time with what to say to you because their is so much to say. Their are so many memories:  Birthday parties when I was small and our family getting together for my birthday when I was an adult until you could not do it any longer.  You always made Christmas special with all your home made goodies and then of course your wonderful dinners.  Listening to you sing in church was wonderful.  I know you are singing as much as you can now in heaven.  You taught me how to be a caring and giving person because you always were.  You always gave what you could to others, whether is was a listening ear, food or money.  I really respected you for that.  My most memorable times with you were during your last 8 years.  You took care of me and now it was my turn to take care of you and I loved every minute of it.  Mom, you kept that same sense of humor that you have always had.  Sitting beside you at night when you were in bed and looking at pictures or talking about recipes that would be good to make and you responding back saying, "that sounds good" or "make it" was the greatest!  I would ask you how your day went and you would sometimes say, "not too good" or "the same".  I loved it when you would respond back.  Of course, sometimes I would sit on your bed just as easy as possible because I thought you were sleeping and read a book and then when it was time to go home I would lean over and give you a kiss and say I love you and you would respond back, "I love you too"  The whole time you were awake but pretended to be asleep.  I miss not being at your house at night and telling you every night that I have to go but will be back tomorrow and I love you. Mom, I could go on and on but the last 8 years I will never forget because they were the best years and memories I have of you. Thank you for all that you gave me and I can't wait to see you in heaven.  I love you mom

I don't think I will ever get used to Grandma being gone. It seems like she is still here; the memory of her is still so real. I remember her taking us to feed the ducks at the park, riding bikes around the neighborhood, playing board games and doing puzzles. I remember trips to Superior Ice Cream Parlor, swimming (Grandma always stayed in the shallow end), trips to the coast and reading books together at night. I remember the way Grandma would wink at me and squeeze my hand, her hugs and her kisses. Grandma always made me feel loved and always will, even if she is no longer here on this earth.

I have very special memories of Grandma Boogaard. She and PaPa took me on a train ride to Fresno when I was little.  It was so much fun.  I remember the smell of home made bread.  I loved for Grandma to make me breakfast when I stayed there during the day. Her toast with butter and home made strawberry jam was the best.  Grandma took me to vacation Bible school every year.  I miss my Grandma very much and can't wait to see her again in heaven.  I love you Grandma!!!

It's challenging to fit all of my memories of Grandma into just a few paragraphs. So many of my memories start with her smile and laughter...laughter that often resulted in happy tears and stomach cramps from it's intensity. I'll never forget the time we were sitting at the Tigers baseball game and Grandma misheard Mom say something about a man sitting nearby and somehow it turned into hearing her say something about his long, hairy, stinky armpits. They were ROLLING with laughter and the rest of us couldn't help but laugh, too. Her laughter was contagious and her humor was a learned art form (one that I have been attempting to master and pass onto Promise:))

Some of the memories that I will treasure most are about snapdragons, BBQing tri-tip (and learning her recipe), eating plumbs, wind chimes, bare feet, roller blading, frogs, cats, hard candy, Eggo waffles, sugar on cornflakes, peaches, swimming, black coffee, hymns, music boxes, superior dairy, the Datsun, and cinnamon gum. Each of these words flood me with memories that engage my senses and cause my breath to catch in my chest...because I know they are just that. Only memories. They will never be realities again. They are memories that only a Grandma as wonderful as my Grandma could create and cultivate. 

But it would be untrue if I were to say that it was only around her happy tears that my memories settled.

Grandma, one of my most vivid memories of you is how your eyes would well with tears at the end of every summer, when we had to say goodbye. I knew that it was hard for you to be so far away from us. We both knew that we would live off of the memories from that summer as it faded into fall and the months would pass slowly by until we could be together again. I knew why you would cry, but I always wanted to jump out of our car, as your silhouette faded into the distance, and reassure you that we'd see you again soon. 
Today, I am the one crying as I say goodbye. I know I will have to live off of the memories that you gifted to me as your granddaughter over these past 31 years. It will be spring soon and before I know it, spring  will have blossomed into summer. Summer.the time of year that we're supposed to be together  againbut this time we won't be. I'm older now and I understand how finite life is. I understand why you would cry at the end of each of our times together. 
Something tells me that if you could, you would run to me on this daythis day that we put your physical body to restand reassure me that we'll see each other again soon. And when we do, there will be no more tears and no more goodbyes. 
I love you, Grandma, and I will see you soon.

I know Grandma Boogaard through marriage to her grandson, Ryan Jundt. We live in Florida, so I never had the chance to really get to know her very well. But I will say that I can see how her life has touched and affected mine greatly. First of all, I love her grandson. One of my first memories of really being interested in Ryan was when he came to visit me and brought pictures of his family. Upon meeting them, I was so impressed with his upbringing. It is evident that this family is a product of the love for the Lord that both Bert and Norma had. I feel like I know Norma through my mother in law, Gail. I have learned so much from her--cooking, loving your neighbor, serving others, hospitality, living for the Lord, the list goes on and on. As I read more about what others have to say about Norma, I can see where many of these attributes originate. I am so thankful for the heritage that my children have in Grandma Boogaard and in their Mimi (Gail). Her legacy will certainly be felt for generations to come.

Dear Mom,
If anyone has ever read Proverbs 31, then they have read about you!  Verse 10 says, "who can find a virtuous and capable wife?  She is more precious than rubies."  That is you!  You have always been my role model.You excel all the mom's and wives I have ever known.  I really do not know how you were able to do all that you did so well.  You were always on time, you did everything with excellence, you were always happy and cheerful in the things you did, you always had time for people no matter who they were or if they were a divine interruption.  You always had something yummy on hand for people to eat, you were generous and giving, you cried with people and laughed with people.  You were my favorite laughing partner. We had the same sense of humor and so the same ridiculous things were so funny to us.  Anyway, you worked hard and our home was always comfortable and pretty.  It was always clean which was a huge task with the CA dust in the air.  You shopped wisely and you could make things stretch.  You helped me with my homework and were always my cheer leader.  You instructed me in Godliness as you followed the guidelines of the Bible.  Some of my favorite memories were you giving Cindy and me a Hershey's candy bar in the summer.  We would lay them out in the sun and let them melt while we splashed around in our little wading pool.  I loved it when you would put on your swimsuit and join us in the little pool.  It was so much fun when you would take us swimming in the ditch by the pump.  It was sandy and refreshing.  It was so much fun when you would take us swimming in the river with our friends. It was a big day when you let me start ironing handkerchiefs.  Then you bought us our very own Studio Girl chapstick.  Wow!  That was so special. You sewed most all of our clothes and would take us to the fabric store and hold fabric up to our faces to see what colors looked best on us.  Once in awhile we got to order clothes from the catalog and that was a really big deal. When we were really little I remember when we would go into town, you would have a dress on and would put your dress gloves on too.  You were an amazing cook and baker.  You taught me how to sew and bake.  Those are really special memories. I remember Tim's and my wedding and I never felt stressed out not even once.  You had a way of calmness about you.  There really is no way of being able to put down all my thoughts and memories of you.  It would take a book to contain it all.  You helped out with our finances when you needed to with selling Studio Girl and Avon, you worked at the hospital in the kitchen and you sewed draperies.  You volunteered at our school and our church.  Most of all you loved our Lord and Savior,our family and others.  Proverbs 31: 30 and 31 say, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done.  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."  It is today that I publicly declare your praise Mom.  You have suffered for many years and now you sit at the feet of Jesus and you have been rewarded by Him for all of your faithfulness here in this life.  You have heard the words, "well done good and faithful servant."  I cannot wait to be with you again.  It is my hope and I know without a doubt we will be reunited again.  I love you more than I can ever say or express, your daughter, Gail

Dear Norma,

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them (That means we get to be with you!!!!) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Norma, I am so excited that you are in heaven with the Lord and with family and friends and a host of those (millions) who know Jesus! To be there, in the presence of God, how great that isbeyond words.beyond Joy..beyond any expression we know here on earth! I look forward to being there with you, oh hasten the day! 

Thank you for your life and legacy here. Every day I get to experience a little of that legacy through the life of your daughter Gail. Gail is a joy, a better wife, friend, and companion no one could find. I know in part is because of you and the values you taught her. Again, thank you!!!

So, until we meet again, in the air caught up together or on the other side of deaths door, know you are fondly thought of and loved dearly.
Your son-in-love Tim

Turning on old shows like Bonanza, The Virginian, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, or I Love Lucy and watching Norma rise up in her chair and talk back to the screen gave me an occasional glimpse of the woman I wish I had known before her illness.  Her cute sense of humor I had only heard about before became more evident.  I will always think of her when I see these programs.

She loved her neck massages, pedicures, springtime neighborhood walks or an afternoon snack in the backyard. Visitors would always light up her day.

I really wish we could have baked together because I know how much she enjoyed it. I loved cooking for her though and trying to surprise her or jog an old memory with a treat from her younger years. 

She loved homemade or take-out Chinese or Mexican food. Want her to eat every bite?  Biscuits & sausage gravy, buttermilk & Ritz crackers, chocolate ice cream, or dip anything in applesauce or yogurt.

I will miss her sweet "good morning" or "good night", doing her beautiful silver hair and pink lips and watching her eyes light up to a familiar faced visitor. 

I will miss my sweet lady but I know that she is happy, healthy, and pain free again with Bert in heaven and that truly warms my heart.

I pray for peace & comfort for Cindy, Danae, Donja & Rodney, Gail & Tim, Carrie & Chris, Adri & Chris, Ryan & Stephanie, Jan & her family, John & Beverly Boogaard  & family, Georgia & Hank Douma & family and my co-caregivers, Theresa, Dori, & Jami.

Rest in peace my Sweet Norma Jean with lots of hugs and kisses from me & Selena

Love,

Cindy and family,
I feel so blessed to have known both of your parents!  Norma was a very sweet, special, caring woman.  I will always remember the loving care that she gave to Danae, and the loving care that you, Cindy, gave to her in return.  Losing your Mother is never easy, no matter what your age, but know that she knew and loved you for the care that you showed her until her last breath.  She will be missed, but I'm certain she and Bert are laughing in heaven and looking down on you with such pride!!  Love you and Danae always!
Sara, Phil and Lindsay Enghusen

My dearest Aunt Norma was the epitome of a beautiful godly woman. She was the perfect Wife, Mom,Sister , Aunt,friend and neighbor that anybody could have the pleasure of knowing. And when I say pleasure I truly mean it. Aunt Norma was always loving and kind she knew how to teach you lessons in life in such a kind caring way. Most definitely Aunt Norma was one of the greatest bakers of all time! I remember as a kid sneaking outside into the garage refrigerator and grabbing whatever wonderful cookie or bar that she had baked and stored in the extra refrigerator. I never wanted to get caught but boy oh boy it would have been worth it had I got caught. If I can be only 1/10 of the woman that Aunt Norma was I would be a very great woman. I will always love and miss her as she was very instrumental in my life and always somebody to look up to. Aunt Norma please know that you will be greatly missed and you're beautiful kind hearted loving demeanor will never be forgotten and will always be look up to as a shining example of who I want to be.  Thank you for all you have done for our family.

Norma was a sweet, loving, kind, Godly example to me as I was growing up. I will always remember her laugh. Now she is walking, talking and singing praises in heaven to Jesus!

I came here as a new bride 64 years ago, I knew no one. Bert had been Hank's lifelong friend, so Norma and I became close friends. Our children were born the same years and were playmates and school friends. She took me to ladies bible study where I made more friends and I even had a "Secret Pal". Fun! Her mother and sister Jan were a family to me also.  Her love and friendship could be depended on and I miss her...we will meet again.

OBITUARY

Norma Boogaard

July 28, 1932 – February 17, 2016

People’s Funeral Chapel

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