A visitation for Norma N. Basore, 87, Lawrence, will be 3-4:30 pm, Sunday, January 4, 2015, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Private burial will take place at a later date in Neodesha, KS.
She died Thursday, January 1, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Norma was born September 10, 1927, in Altoona, KS, the daughter of Luther Jackson Cunningham and Helen Winnie Carver Cunningham. She graduated from Neodesha High School.
Norma married Herschel Wesley Basore on August 17, 1946 in Neodesha, Kansas. He preceded her in death on July 31, 1975.
She began her career in school food service in 1964 in Neodesha, Kansas and later in Alvin, Texas. She worked as a manager for USD 497 in the Food Service Department in Lawrence from 1977 until 2011 and served at West Junior High, Quail Run Elementary, Free State High School and the USD 497 Service Center. She treasured the friendships that she made in the school district over years.
Norma loved cooking nutritious meals for the students, and especially making homemade meals for her family. She loved her family dearly, and knew each of her family members’ favorite foods and treats, which she always tried to prepare them for family gatherings and holidays.
She was especially fond of baking, and was famous for her homemade pies. For several years in a row she baked homemade pies for family and friends in Athens, Texas during the Christmas holidays. Her friends lovingly called the annual event “Pie Night.” She always enjoyed seeing her special friends from Bingo at the Eagles weekly, and they all looked after and encouraged one another.
She served for many years as treasurer for the Women’s Auxiliary Organization of the American Legion.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Steve Wiles, Lawrence, KS; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Sheri Basore, Athens, TX; grandchildren, Tommy Wiles, Aurora, CO; Kaci Nowak, Mundelein, IL; Joseph Wiles, Lawrence, KS; Jeremy Basore, Crowley, TX; Alanna Urtiaga, San Antonio, TX and Jennifer Tompkins, Lufkin, TX; great-grandchildren, Audrye Tompkins, Dustye Tompkins, Avrye Tompkins, Ethan Bowland, Annalyn “Annie” Nowak and Styles Robert Wiles; brother Dale Cunningham, Seneca, SC, as well nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of many friends.
Memorial contributions in her honor may be sent in care of the funeral home to support the American Legion, or First Baptist Church Athens, TX for the Ethiopia Medical Mission, or to Senior Meals Program in Lawrence.
Please leave a condolence message below.
