Norma A. Courvoisier

Norma Alberta Oberjuerge Courvoisier, 96, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 6, 2021. She was born to Alfred and Laura (Hanning) Oberjuerge on January 7, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Norma was baptized at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in St. Louis as an infant. The family moved to Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1928 where she grew up with her older sister, Ethel, and younger brother, Alden. There, the family joined Salem Lutheran Church and the siblings attended school. Norma was always fond of telling stories about her school days. At the time, Salem Lutheran School was a one-room school, and her teacher, whom she had for all eight years, was also her piano teacher and Sunday School teacher on the weekends. Norma confirmed the faith first professed for her at her baptism on April 10, 1938.

“Cosmopolitan Jacksonville,” as she enjoyed calling it, provided a very happy childhood for Norma. There she learned both piano and accordion. Her father bought live chickens to sell to customers. Local delivery was handled by Norma on her bicycle, often while dogs were chasing her. Norma also had early jobs at the ice cream parlor and the dollar store which helped contribute to the family. During these years the family would often go to St. Louis to visit their large extended Hanning and Oberjuerge families, which provided many wonderful memories that Norma would speak about for the rest of her life.

In 1940, when Norma was only 14, her father died and life changed significantly for the family. The following year a friend who had moved to Monrovia, California, invited Norma to come visit for the summer. After much consideration, her mother gave her approval and Norma boarded the bus, by herself, to California. Shortly thereafter, following the suggestion of this 16-year-old, and after much correspondence, it was decided that her mother, sister, and brother would move to California. Their home and most of their possessions were sold and the extended family was left behind. Ethel drove her mother and brother across the country, into land and life unknown, to join the waiting Norma and seek new opportunities. They were blessed.

Norma graduated from Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High School in 1942. Shortly after, she began working as a dental assistant and continued until the dentist left for WWII. At that time, Norma and Ethel both began working at Douglas Aviation. In 1943 the family relocated to Long Beach, California, where Norma continued to work at Douglas until 1945.

After moving to Long Beach, the family joined First Lutheran Church. It was there, at a Walther League meeting, that Norma Oberjuerge met Norman Courvoisier. He had returned from the Pacific War Zone and was stationed at Los Alamitos. In 1946, when the war was over, the two returned to St. Louis where they were happily married and lived for the next five years. The family grew with the addition of Wes and Gwen, born in St. Louis, and Janice, born in Long Beach.

Returning to Long Beach in 1951, the Courvoisiers joined Bethany Lutheran Church. Norm and Norma established a loving home, instilling love for the Lord in their children. One of their joys was the opportunity to provide a Christian education for their children at Bethany and Lutheran High School. Norma showered her family with love, encouragement, and support and was active in Cub and Girl Scouts, as well as LWML. Blessed to be a homemaker, Norma also worked at Fedco and with Avon during her children’s school years. In 1967 she resumed her employment at Douglas Aviation, returning to Timekeeping and rejoining some of the same people she had worked with almost 20 years before. She remained at Douglas another 18 years, retiring in 1985.

During retirement, Norma and Norman enjoyed many trips and cruises with Ethel, Al and Sally, and other family and friends. They were blessed to travel to many destinations including China, Russia, England, and Norway/North Cape. Norma loved Cardinal baseball and was a member of the Knothole Gang growing up. In California she became an avid Angel fan. Norma found joy in her life with Norman and her family. She especially enjoyed extended family gatherings and seeing all the kids growing up. Her bright smile will be missed.

Norma is remembered as a child of God, abundantly blessed and loved dearly. We celebrate her remarkable life and the gift she was to many. Norma is survived by her children, son Wes (Elinor) Courvoisier, daughter Gwen (Mark) Saxlund, daughter Janice Meredith; her grandchildren, Jeff (Amanda), Mark (Rochelle), Kevin (Laura) Courvoisier, Tom (Crystal) and Laura Meredith; as well as her great-grandchildren, Nathan and Micah, Brooklyn and Bradley, Lillian and Owen Courvoisier, Maxwell and Magnolia Meredith. She also leaves her dear sister-in-law, Sally Oberjuerge, and many nephews, nieces, and their children. She was preceded in death by Norman, her beloved husband of 68 years, sister Ethel Taylor, and brother Al Oberjuerge.

Regrettably, due to COVID restrictions in the UK and USA, granddaughter Laura Meredith is unable to be here in person, but we know she is here in heart and spirit for her beloved Granny.

The family is requesting any memorial donations to be made in the memory of Norma Courvoisier to:

Bethany Lutheran School Scholarship Fund

4644 Clark Ave., Long Beach, CA  90808

or

Concordia University Irvine Concordia Fund

1530 Concordia West, Irvine, CA  92612

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401