Obituary

Elouise Stecklein Norton

Elouise Stecklein Norton, 84, of Blackfoot, Idaho, passed away on September 16, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. She was born on May 17, 1940, in Cortez, Colorado. Elouise was known to her loved ones as Mom, Granny and Aunt Weezie.

She came from a family of nine and when she was five years old the family moved to Blackfoot, on South Broadway. Before she passed, she shared memories that we would like to share. She remembers living out on the farm and running around with the rabbits, chickens, cows, pigs and ducks. She helped take care of the animals and with the laundry, it wasn’t her favorite. Her Grandma Stecklein lived on the property, in what became the chicken coop. Elouise remembers, “walking past the window one time and seeing her throw the dishwater out, we didn’t have an indoor bathroom until, I don’t remember how old I was, but we had an outhouse. We took baths in a big metal tub. Thinking back, it might have been a fun time, but back then it just meant you were poor folk.” Elouise described the time by saying “Back then you were either rich or poor. Sometimes it was tough. The pants you’d pay $50 for now, you wouldn’t wear back then, that meant you were poor.” (referring to pants with holes).

Elouise shared that her 4th grade teacher was her favorite. “Couldn’t even tell you what she taught but I really liked her. I don’t know, she was just nicer than the others.” She enjoyed playing the flute in the Blackfoot High School band and trying her hand at piano.

Elouise married Dean Twitchell and had two children, Teresa (Twitchell) Miller and Clyde Twitchell. Years later she married Blaine Norton. Elouise was a loyal employee at Betty’s Café when it was first on South Broadway. She enjoyed waitressing the early morning breakfast and lunch shift. She worked there for more than 35 years and enjoyed visiting with the regulars.

She enjoyed bowling, golfing, crocheting, cheering on the Dodgers, trying her luck at scratch tickets, and going on rides to see the fall colors and Christmas lights. She had a knack for making homemade spaghetti sauce that everyone loved to eat. She was thrilled when the children stopped by and looked forward to seeing pictures of her grandbabies. The grandkids remember sitting around her kitchen table playing cards with her. Our family always enjoyed picnics at Airport Park.

Elouise is survived by her sister Eleanor (Duchscher) Young (Fred) of Blackfoot, her two children: Teresa (Twitchell) Miller (Roy) of Pocatello and Clyde Twitchell (Joan) of Blackfoot; grandchildren: Rachelle Rosenberger (Kurt) St. George, UT, Clayton DaBell (Shantay) Richland, WA, Ivan Miller (Camille) Boise, ID, Jana Stoehr (Troy) Erie, CO, Kimaree Shaw (Dayne) Pocatello, ID, Tia Twitchell (Justin Horton) Blackfoot, ID, Ciarra Twitchell (Brock Baguley) Blackfoot, ID; 22 great grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ben and Cora Stecklein, brothers Leonard and Alex Stecklein, sister Betty Seth (Earl), sister Lois Beranek (Eugene), sister RuAmma Davidson (LaVern).

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024at Grove City Cemetery, 1 Willow Drive in Blackfoot, under direction of Hawker Funeral Home.