Norma Jean Marley

Norma Jean Marley

Norma Jean Marley, 82, passed away July 27th, 2021. She was born January 21, 1939 to Afton Lucille and Freeman Augustus Furniss, in Pocatello, Idaho. She was the youngest child anv5. They were excited to welcome five children into their family. They moved around quite a bit in their early years together, chasing work in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and eventually Alaska in 1964, that they decided to call home.

After completing beauty school, Norma was a hairdresser and opened her own shops as well as working at hotels in Anchorage. In 1968 they moved to the Matanuska Valley where they homesteaded, starting from scratch. She often said she was happiest as a homesteader, but she excelled at multiple types of employment and business opportunities; from telephone operator, travel agency owner, landlord, etc.

She had faith in Jesus Christ and raised her children in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After retirement Norma and DeWayne served as missionaries for two years.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Blaine, Kenneth and Ronnie; and her granddaughter, Marley Tubbs Chatterton. She is survived by her husband, DeWayne; son, Patrick (Linda) of Wasilla; daughters, Robbie (Mark Wuitschick) of Palmer, Tina (Sid Tubbs) of Firth Idaho, Tarie (Terry Belka) of Palmer, and Shaeli (Bret Davis) of Mesa Arizona; 28 grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held August 14th, at 1 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Palmer Bldg. 560 W. Bogard Rd., Palmer.