Norma Warth

Pocatello - Norma Gilbert Warth 86. A Pocatello resident for the past 68 years, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2012 following an illness with coronary heart disease and arthritis.

Norma was born in Virginia, Idaho, at the family home on March 28, 1926 to Ettna E.and Lottie Rawlings Gilbert. She was the 9th child in a family of two boys (who died in infancy), then seven girls. (Norma being the seventh daughter) then one more boy.

She grew up on the farm working hard in the fields. She attended grade school in a two-room building, which was also a church on Sunday, and graduated from Downey High School in 1944. She moved to Pocatello a week later and started doing secretarial and clerical work at Orange Transportation. She loved doing this type of work and also worked for Utah Idaho Sugar Co., Barlow's Electric, and doing all the book work and accounting for Paul's Jewelers and Paul's Trophies.

Norma met her future husband Paul Warth a few days after he was discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945. They were married May 16, 1946 and a few months later on July 18 were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They became the parents of two sons, Steve and Don.

Norma loved to do handicrafts, gardening, quilting, crocheting, cross stitch and writing poetry. One of the quilts she designed took 2nd place in the quilt contest held at the Stanrod House during the 1976 centennial. She won numerous ribbons and awards at the local and State Fairs.

Norma was an active member of the LDS Church, where she held various positions in her ward and stake. The positions she loved most were in the secretarial field. The most precious things to her were her husband and two sons. She enjoyed going hunting and fishing with them. Her three boys she used to call them.

After the Naval Ordnance Plant closed in 1960, Norma and Paul owned and operated Paul's Jewelers. They started Paul's Trophies in 1970 and built it into a thriving business. Norma drew the blue prints and designed their two buildings. They were most proud of the one on North 8th. Norma loved working in the business along with Paul. They worked side by side most of their 65 years of marriage. She retired along with Paul when they sold their business, Paul's Trophies and Watch Repair in 1993.

Norma is survived by two sons Steven (Kathie) and Donald of Pocatello, one granddaughter Michelle (Bob) Justice of North Carolina; four grandsons Darrel (Amie) Warth of Nampa, Darren (Rebecca) Warth of Twin Falls, Steven II (Krista) Warth and Ryan Warth of Pocatello. Fifteen great grandchildren, one brother Ervin Gilbert of Virginia, Id.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul in February 2011, parents Ettna and Lottie Gilbert, two infant brothers, Dee Reese and Oleen; six sisters Viona Bennett, Mavis Kirkman, Ardith Arbon, Thella Newbold, Ina Jensen, and Gwen Tripp.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the LDS Chapel on 550 West Cedar Street with Bishop Gerald Holmes of the Cedar 2nd Ward officiating. The family will receive friends Monday evening, June 11, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave., and on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Mountainview Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel.