Obituary for
Norma Ethel Paro
Norma Ethel (Ortloff) Paro passed into heaven on April 22, 2017, at her daughter, Cindy’s home in Dallas, Oregon. She was born to Andrew and Florence (Rux) Ortloff on October 6, 1920, at the home farm near Thief River Falls, MN, and was the fifth of eight children. Norma graduated early from high school and Teachers Training by age 17 at St. Hilaire, MN. Norma taught country school until she moved to Seattle, Washington, to be with an aunt. Later when she moved to Glasgow, Montana, she was a substitute elementary and special ed teacher.
It was at Seattle where Norma met and married Donald Paro while she was working at the Naval base. They were married 70 years when Don passed away. Norma and Don moved to Duluth, MN where their first child, Cynthia, was born. Their second child, Juanita, was born in Thief River Falls, MN. Norma and Don moved to Glasgow, Montana, when the girls were young. Glasgow would be their home until October of 2002 when they moved to Salem, Oregon to be near their daughter, Cindy. Norma and Don resided there until Don passed in 2014 at which time Norma resided with Cindy. In 2016 Norma moved with Cindy to Dallas, Oregon.
Norma loved to read and work in her beautiful flower gardens. She enjoyed taking painting lessons and painted several beautiful mountain scenes. Norma’s great grandchildren loved her stories about her dad hitching up a team of horses to take her to school. Norma loved and trusted in Jesus and was involved in her church’s ministries. She taught Sunday School, Bible School and served as president of the church’s women’s group. Grandson Steve stated the following about his grandmother: As an adult I learned that she was strong. She was fierce. She was gentle. Life was good and it was also hard for her. She absorbed every hurt and challenge without causing hurt in return. She was strong, not because she forced others to bend to her desire. But because she adapted, she thrived, she made peace, she forgave.
Norma is survived by her daughters, Cynthia of Dallas, Oregon, and Juanita of Phoenix, Arizona, stepson Don Paro, Jr. and wife Gayle and their two daughters Kristie and Kathy. Grandsons, John (Mandy), Steve, Brian, Bryce and Jenanie. Eight great grandchildren who loved her so much. Sisters-in-law: Marlene Ortloff, and Shirley Fields.
Norma was the last of her siblings. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, her parents and siblings: Elroy, Raymond (Grace), Irene(Edwin) Anderson, Robert (Anna), Esther(Albert) Myhrer, Wendell (Lucille) and Kenneth. Nephews, Roger Anderson, Dwight Ortloff and Terry Myhrer, Nieces: Lolly Myhrer and Julie Ortloff.
Interment will be at a later date at the Rux Cemetery near Thief River Falls, MN.
Please share your memories and condolences with the family in the Condolences and Tributes section of her memorial website.
