Van Riper, Norma M. 6/4/1927 – 1/25/2020 Age 92 years of Omaha Norma Mae Vakoc was born to Edward and Elsie Vakoc on June 4th, 1927 in Woodlake, Nebraska.She lived on a cattle ranch in the Sandhills of western Nebraska with her three brothers; Roy, Larry & Archie and one sister; Katherine, for the first 18 years of her life. She graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1945 and moved to Omaha with her parents that same year. She then worked at Mutual of Omaha for several years and after meeting Wayne Van Riper Jr., at a USO dance, they were married on September 10th, 1949.Norma and Wayne had two children, a son Stephen born in 1951 and a daughter Susan born in 1952. They all enjoyed the outdoors, thus the entire family including grandchildren spend many a summer in northern Minnesota fishing. Norma was a professional seamstress, designing and making wedding dresses, as well as, Field Day costumes for Marian High School for many years. Norma also loved to travel, as she enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands and most of the United States. Norma also loved to cook and have all of the family over for oyster stew and her bohemian duck dinner during the holidays. After nearly 50 years of marriage Wayne passed away in 1999. Within the next couple of years, friend/companion Bob Chereck came into Norma’s life and they had many adventures until Bob passed away sixteen years later. Grandma Norma has four grandchildren; Nicole, Carrie, Michael & Zane and six great grandchildren; Anna, Kyle, Alex, Vivienne, Joshua & Paige that she just adored. Norma then lived with her daughter Susan and son in-law David for nearly two years until she moved into her final residence at New Cassel Senior Center in Omaha.Norma lived at New Cassel for just over a year and a half and thoroughly enjoyed her time and dear friends their, until she passed away on Saturday January 25th, 2020.May she Rest In Peace. Norma was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Van Riper; She is survived by her Son Stephen Van Riper & wife Linda; Daughter Susan Littlewood & husband David; Brother Lawrence Vakoc; Grandchildren: Nicole, Carrie, Michael, Zane; 6 Great Grandchildren, many other relatives and friends. Visitation: Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020 from 2-4:00pm at Braman Mortuary (72 St. Chapel) Funeral Mass: Monday, Feb. 3, 2020 at 10:30am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church (14330 Eagle Run Dr.) Interment: Forest Lawn In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Omaha Community Playhouse Braman Mortuary (72 St. Chapel) 1702 N. 72 St. Omaha, NE68114 402-391-2171
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