Arlene D. Norman

Arlene Breden Norman (95) passed away after a short illness on Monday, December 16, 2024. Arlene was born on May 11, 1929, in Leonard, ND, the daughter of Sievert and Ida (Kilde) Breden. Arlene graduated from Park Rapids High School and Park Rapids Teacher College. She then taught in a one-room schoolhouse. As a young woman, she traveled and worked in Estes Park, CO, Santa Barbara, CA, and White Sands Missile Base in NM, where she met her future husband. On April 2, 1956, Arlene and Douglas Norman were married in El Paso, TX. They were married for 54 years. The couple relocated to the Kalamazoo area where they raised three children.

Arlene graduated from KVCC and Western Michigan University. She was a substitute teacher and worked in market research. Arlene was active with the Friends of the Portage District Library for years. She was an avid reader, gardener and water aerobics participant. 

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents; Sievert and Ida Breden; her husband, Douglas Norman; sister, Helen Bengtson, and brothers; John and Sidney Breden. Arlene is survived by her children; Sherrie Norman (Bob Owen) of Cincinnati, OH, Deb Norman (Dan Dover) of Mesa, AZ and Jon Norman (Dorothy DeMay) of Plainwell, MI along with five grandchildren: Steven Dover (Angela Valenzuela), Jason Dover (Jenny), Matthew Norman, Nicholas Norman and Ruth Norman Owen. 

Arlene was an amazing woman and will be deeply missed.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Adams Redmond Funeral Home, 4100 S. Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM with Reverend Joseph Shaler officiating. Immediately following the funeral service, there will be a luncheon for family and friends. Interment will be at 2:00 PM at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. Please arrive by 1:45 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Portage District Library.