Norma Franke

Norma Franke, age 80 of Norman, OK, died from complications of dementia on Monday, September 21, 2020.  She was born in Enid, OK on November 8, 1939, to proud parents, Rev. Alvin E. Chapman and Maurine V. Chapman.

Norma grew up in Enid.  She graduated from Enid High School, Class of 1957, where she was active in the Distributive Education Club and the Girls Chorus.  She would go on cultivate her office management skills from DE and her love of music and art. 

Norma met her sweetheart, Nate Franke, and he swept her off her feet (literally) at the local roller-skating rink when she was 16 and he was 20.  They were married on October 4, 1957.  They made their home first in Enid, then in San Diego, CA, then moved back to OK.  They settled in Norman, OK, in 1962.  They have three children, four grandchildren, and four (soon to be five) great grandchildren.

Career highlights included creating custom window treatments for customers of JC Penny, managing dental offices for Dr. Richard Gilman, DMD, and Dr. Gary Livingston, DDS, and finally as the showroom manager for Paschal Tile in Norman.

Norma was an artist in every sense of the word.  She enjoyed watercolor painting, clay sculpture, and in later years created many beautiful mosaic works.  She loved to sing and spent many years singing with the Oklahoma City Chorus of Sweet Adelines.  During this time, she also sang lead in a quartet called the O-Keys.  She could even be persuaded, with a little coaxing, to sing a rousing rendition of Your Cheatin’ Heart.    

Norma was preceded in death by her father, Reverend Alvin Chapman; her mother and stepfather, Maurine and Eldon Weber; and her brother, Clifton Chapman.

She is survived by her husband, Nate Franke of Norman; daughters, Jeannie Franke of Moore, Shari Wilson and her husband Jim of Moore; and son, Charles Franke and wife Claire of Norman.  Her four grandchildren include Lauren Franke, Annalee Franke, Sarah Wilson, Allen Wilson and his wife Tracy.  Great grandchildren include Devin, Kylan, Adrian & Mikayla Wilson.  She is also survived by sisters, Carolyn Bauman and husband Harvey, Sharon Pritchett and husband Toby, Donna Nordman and husband Bob; sisters-in-law, Beverly Chapman, JoAnn Franke, Peggy Davis and her husband Richard; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will be present to receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Thursday, September 24, 2020, at Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook Street, Norman.  Norma’s funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 25, 2020, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at a later date in Enid.  

Memorial contributions may be made to the Firehouse Art Center, 444 S. Flood Ave, Norman, OK 73069.