Nora Dimple Van Norman passed away on December 24, 2006 at her home in Yerington. Nora was born on June 26, 1920 in Eldorado, Oklahoma. She was raised on farms near Foss, Oklahoma and Spade, Texas. Nora's family moved to Bakersfield, California during her first year of high school and graduated from Bakersfield Union High School in 1926 at the age of 16. After graduation she was employed by the Bakersfield City School District as a child accounting clerk and secretary to the traunt officer. Nora met her future husband, Philip, when he went to Bakersfield to visit her next door neighbor. About ten months later they were married on Christmas day in 1940.

They later founded Van's Heating and Air Conditioning. Philip ran the contracting operation and Nora took care of the office and bookkeeping functions. They purchased 80 acres near Hemet, California in 1950 and in addition to the contracting business they farmed and raised cattle. Their three children were raised on that ranch and the entire family was very active in 4-H. Philip and Nora were 4-H leaders. while Philip was away on construction jobs, Nora was at home keeping three children in school and helping the kids with the chores. By that time the ranch activity including milking cows as well as feeding horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens and show pigeons. In addition to all that she also kept the air conditioning office open 10 hours per day. Nora was active in her local church where she taught Sunday school for 40 years, was missionary chairman, church treasurer and deaconess. Upon retirement, Philip and Nora traveled the US and Canada for about two years and eventually settled in Mason Valley. In 1977 they purchased 37 acres on the east Walker River where it intersects with Hwy 208. There they raised quarter horses and a few cattle. They had at least two stallions and 15 brood mares, however, at times the horse population reached nearly 40. Philip and Nora raised about 75 foals during the time they lived in Mason Valley. Nora was very active in a variety of horse and cattle related activities including the Copper Hills Horse Club and Lyon County Fair. Nora was also a member of the Yerington Vineyard Fellowship, Hospital Auxillary of the South Lyon Medical Center, the Lyon County Republican Women, the Lyon County Republican Central Committee, and was an Honorary Member of the Smith Valley Rotary Club based on her many years of support of their community activities. Philip and Nora retired from the horse and cattle business and moved to Smith Valley in 1993. They relocated to the Mason Valley Residence in 2004 where they resided at the time of her death. Nora was an avid crocheter and during the time she lived in both the Mason and Smith Valleys she crocheted literally hundreds of afghans. she frequently donated afghans to charitable organizations and local fund raising activities.

Nora is survived by her husband of 66 years, Philip Van Norman of Yerington; a daughter, Betty Rheingans (Carl) of Winchester, CA; a son, Charlie (Dianne) Van Norman of Wellington, NV; her sisters, Ila Henninger of Bakersgield, CA, Athel Coffman of Bakersfield, CA and Willie Dobbs of Fresno, CA; 8 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Nora was preced in death by a son and daughter-in-law H. Ralph and Eileen Van Norman, a brother and four sisters.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 am Saturday, December 30, 2006 at the Yerington Vineyard Fellowship 307 Broadway Yerington. Interment will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Equestrian Center at Dressler Park PO Box 263 Wellington, NV 89444.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home 25 Hwy 208 Yerington 463-2911. Family and Friends may sign the online Guest Book at www.FRFH.net