Norma Hudson Asplund

Norma Hudson Asplund

June 9, 1942 a€" June 18, 2013

Norma Hudson Asplund died at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah, on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, with her husband by her side. She had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on June 9, while celebrating her 71st birthday with her family at her home in Layton.

Born June 9, 1942, in Magrath, Alberta, Canada, to Eldred Leon "Dad" Hudson and Rose Bennett Hudson, Norma grew up in Claresholm and Raymond, Alberta. At least in part because she was an only daughter keeping up with four brothers she adored, she developed a musical laugh and could both take and make a joke with equal aplomb. This served her well in her relationship with the love of her life, Olof William "Bill" Asplund, whom she met while attending the University of Alberta. They were married on September 13, 1962, in the Cardston, Alberta LDS Temple and spent the last half century refining their deep and abiding love while laughing together through good times and bad.

After working as a school teacher and accompanying her husband to England for his graduate studies at the University of York, Norma and Bill made Utah their permanent home. (But for the rest of her life, she preferred her television with a British accent.) She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and expressed her faith by patiently serving those who needed help, particularly those who needed help fitting in. She loved the decades she spent as a young women leader and teacher. She also enjoyed serving as a temple worker at the Ogden LDS Temple and was serving a mission with her husband at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City at the time of her death.

While she cherished the comforts and solitude of home, Norma exhibited seemingly effortless wit, charm, and style in public and made everyone she met feel important and at ease. She managed to make each of her children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews (not to mention every sibling, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, neighbor, hairstylist, store clerka€"come to think of ita€"probably everybody but the occasional aggressive telemarketer) feel like her favorite. For example, Norma could patiently listen with genuine empathy and focus to the adult problems of her kids, the teenage problems of her older grandkids, and, most impressively, the lengthy and rambling videogame problems of her younger grandkids.

Norma was a talented pianist and singer. She loved classical musical, especially opera. She was a gifted public speaker. She had a keen eye for interior design and could both sew clothing and shop for clothing with genuine skill. But she measured miracles and recognized God''s presence by new roses in the garden and new birds at the porch feeder. Accordingly, in lieu of flowersa€"just kidding, she loved flowers!

Survivors include her husband, Bill; her sons, Peter (Sarah) and Russell (Stephanie), her daughter Jennifer; her 11 grandchildren; and her brothers Blaine and Andrew Hudson. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Gordon and Derrel Hudson. Those of us remaining will miss her more than words can express, but we look forward to an eventual eternal reunion.

The funeral will be held on Monday, June 24, 2013, 11:00 a.m., at the Kays Creek Stake Center, 2680 East Cherry Lane, Layton, Utah. Viewings will be Sunday, 6-8 p.m., at the Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah 84041, and Monday morning, 10-10:45 a.m., at the Stake Center.

Interment will be at Lindquist''s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 N. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah.