Norene B. Timmerman

Norene B. Timmerman, 93, longtime Astoria resident, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, in Astoria. She was born Jan. 23, 1919, in Centerville, Utah, to Ezra Taft and Romania W. (Barber) Benson. Raised primarily in the rural areas of Utah and Idaho, she could “punch” cows and drove the herd alone many times. She was an excellent basketball and softball player. In her late teens, she was recruited to play on a Chicago professional women’s basketball team, but decided to continue her education instead. She graduated early from high school, and then entered nurse’s training at age 17. After graduating, she attended United Airlines’ school to become an airline stewardess. At the time, the airlines required stewardesses to be registered nurses. On Oct. 21, 1942, she married Heino Conrad Timmerman in Salt Lake City. He preceded her in death. The couple met on one of her flights while she was working as an airline stewardess. They settled in Seattle, then later moved to Astoria. In the late 1950s, Mrs. Timmerman returned to work as a registered nurse, and was employed at St. Mary’s Hospital, now Columbia Memorial Hospital. She retired in 1984. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served within the community and in her church. Family members said she was an exceptional seamstress, cook, oil painter, hostess, organizer and leader. She is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Jerry Inman of Battleground, Wash., A. Jenine and Steve Vrtiska of Hillsboro, Colleen B. and Loren Gochenour of Beavercreek and Evelyn and Bill Allen of Astoria; a son and daughter-in-law, Conrad and Kim Timmerman of Astoria; a sister, Areta Jensen of Salt Lake City; 26 grandchildren; and 49 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, March 2, with a funeral at 1 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 350 Niagara Ave. A graveside service will follow at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton. Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com