Norma Lee Steuerwald

Norma Lee Steuerwald
- Pickens, SC

Norma Lee Steuerwald, 84, of 214 Fox Squirrel Ridge Road, wife of Don F. Steuerwald, died Saturday, May 22, 2010, at McCall Hospice House, Simpsonville.

She was born with an identical twin, Betty Lou, on October 30, 1925 in Belleville, Illinois. Her parents who resided in Marissa, Illinois were Fred and Norma Heien. She attended school in Marissa through eighth grade and high school at Carterville, Illinois. She went to Southern Illinois Normal University where she earned a Bachelor in Education degree in 1948 and became an English teacher at Grand Tower High School and Pinckneyville Community High School. Norma obtained a Master of Arts degree in 1957 from Southern Illinois University. She taught briefly at Easley and later at Huntsville, Alabama before she returned to college at the University of Alabama at Huntsville to obtain educational requirements to become an elementary school teacher. At age 40, Norma was proud to make the Dean's List at the Univeristy of Alabama in Huntsville.

She met her husband, Don F. Steuerwald, while on a church caravan in South Dakota where she participated in church services and conducted Bible schools throughout the state. Norma played the piano and talked on Faith the night she met Don. Church was always an important part of her life as a girl growing up in the United Presbyterian Church in Marissa, Illinois.

A member of Easley Presbyterian Church, she was active throughout her church life. She served as a Sunday School teacher, Circle Chairman many times, Bible leader for Circle, Moderator of the Women of the Church, and back-up pianist and part-time teacher for the Fellowship Sunday School Class of which she was a member. Norma was a Brownie and Junior Girl Scout leader in Easley and in Huntsville a den mother. While moderator of the Women of the Church that year, she was President of the Junior Woman's Club and won several first place certificates. Her writing was utilized in Sunday School teaching, especially for children, and as Chaplain for Duke Power Retirees' Clemson Chapter. Norma priases God for the talents he gave her.

Norma retired from Duke Power at the Oconee Nuclear Station after 15 years of service. After being retired for four years, she re-entered the work force by going to work at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital in Easley in the Education and Public Affairs departments. Later, she only worked in education. After ten years at the hospital, she retired. She attended the hospital retirees quarterly luncheons. Norma enjoyed her work experiences very much.

Norma was an avid reader and lover of cats. She liked to read mysteries, especially.

Surviving in addition to her husband, are her daughter, Heidi Jean Steuerwald of the home and her daughter Donna Elrod and her husband, Dell, of Powdersville; stepgrandchildren, Shane Elrod and his wife, Rebecca, of Easley, Sandy Elrod Browning and her husband, Josh, of Piedmont; a grandson, Travis Elrod of Norwood, North Carolina; adopted granddaughters, Jeanie Montgomery, and her husband, Doug, of Starr, Millie Taylor and her husband, Stacy, of Asheville, N.C.; and ten great-grandchildren. Norma was close to her grandchildren, but especially to Millie, who shared her love of reading.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Steuerwald was predeceased by her son Eric; her twin sister, Betty Lou, as an infant, her infant daughter, Jeana Lee, and her beloved cat of 16 years, Misty.

Memorial services will be 4:00 p.m. Tuesday at Easley Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pickens County Humane Society, 500 Five Forks Road; Liberty, SC 29657 or to the American Diabetes Association, 525 Grove Road; Greenville, SC 29605.

The family is at the home of her daughter, Donna Elrod, 1901 Elrod Road; Piedmont, SC 29673.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.