Norma Gehling

Ms. Norma Lou Rhodes Gehling, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, 85, passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2010 in Concord. She was the daughter of Berlin and Effie Rhodes. Norma was born on June 16, 1924 in Meyersville, New Jersey. The youngest of three children, Norma helped her father deliver milk to families from his side line dairy business. Norma reminisced that although she grew up during the Depression, the family always had enough to eat, and share with neighbors. During her school years, Norma met George Henry Gehling, whom she would marry when he returned from military service in 1945. While George was serving, Norma worked for Bell Laboratories, testing underwater equipment to be used in the war effort. Norma and George raised their family in New Jersey where Norma was active in bowling and softball leagues. At the age of 50, Norma decided to obtain her LPN. She worked the better part of her adult life at nursing homes, first in New Jersey, and then they moved to upstate New York at Founders Pavilion where she retired at the age of 72. She joked with the facility director that she would retire when he couldn’t tell her from the patients. Norma was preceded in death by her husband, George. She is survived by three children, sons, George (Allison) Gehling of Salt Lake City, Utah, Stephen (Linda) Gehling of Ankeny, Iowa, and daughter, Robin (Ron) Clark of Concord with whom she lived for many years in New York and then later in North Carolina. She has four grandsons, Michael (Natalie) Clark, Matthew (Rita) Gehling, Evan Sawdey and Justin Warford. She has one granddaughter, Jessica (Chris) Felker and two great grandchildren, Kolby Felker and Collin Felker. Norma will be remembered for her vivacious personality, beautiful smile, and positive outlook. She was very proud of her family and got great joy from spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. Memorial services will be held at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Burial will be at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Backing Ridge, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Metrolina Association for the Blind, 704 Louise Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204. Hartsell Funeral Home Concord will be handling local arrangements for the Gehling family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com