Mary Opheikens

Mary Norma Opheikens

January 24, 1939 ~ July 19, 2017

Mary Norma Opheikens, age 78, passed away peacefully at her home in South Weber surrounded by family on Wednesday July 19, 2017. Norma was born on January 24, 1939 in Phoenix, AZ. She was the daughter of Sam Nelmida and Mary Valdez Harper.

She met the love of her life Douglas Opheikens in Ogden, UT. They were married in Winnemucca, NV on November 16, 1957. Doug and Norma shared the greatest love affair, which stopped four months short of 60 years. All who knew them will remember Doug’s tender heart and unfailing love for Norma and her quick-witted responses to grandpas teasing remarks.

Norma was a supervisor at Hill Air Force Base where she worked for 25 years.

Norma loved her family deeper than words can describe and any chance she got to spend time with them was important to her. She truly enjoyed planning family parties specifically Halloween and Christmas. Norma was known for her love of reading and was filled with knowledge that helped her decipher countless crossword puzzles. She loved traveling to warmer weather with Doug and was always up for a game of golf. She adored shopping especially if it presented the opportunity to spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Norma is survived by her husband, Douglas Opheikens and her four sisters, Nicky (Leroy deceased) Salazar, Dorothy (Craig) Beasley, Pam (Charley) Hafen, and Rosalie (Bill) Lemieux; as well as her three children, Carl (Buffy) Opheikens, Teri (Val) Kirby, and Mark (Lori) Opheikens. She has 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam (Teresa) Nelmida and Mary Valdez (William “Bill”) Harper; along with her niece, Louise Salazar and daughter-in-law, Tami Opheikens.

Norma will be missed by everyone that knew her but especially her family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 28, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd.