Norma Arleen Gooderum

Norma Arleen Gooderum, 88, of Cathedral City, California, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 8, 2013.
Norma was born to the late Mandly and Mabel Staff Jostad on November 13, 1925, in Iola Wisconsin. Norma worked as an IBM Key Punch Operator in the payroll department for eight years and then married Hugo Gooderum Jr., her loving husband of 65 years spending years together in Minneapolis, MN; Seattle, WA; Oxnard, CA and settling in Riverside, California before retiring to the warm weather of Cathedral City, CA over 20 years ago.
Norma was an avid homemaker, cook and baker, extending hospitality, coffee, and her special Norwegian treats to those that crossed her threshold. She was known for her lefse (aka Norwegian tortillas), sandbakkels, and gingerbread boys. Dedicated to her family, fostering strong values and educational pursuits in her children, volunteering for a variety of civic and charitable organizations, Norma lived a life in service to others.
Norma also inspired creative fun; the tradition of "birthday dancing" was born as the celebrant would be required to dance with her to her unique beat before the birthday gifts could be opened. She always sought to make gatherings special and left an indelible mark on the hearts of her family.
Norma is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Hugo Gooderum Jr.; sister, Doris Kriehn and her husband Gordon; children, Gary Gooderum and his wife Roberta, Jane Bockhacker and her husband Blane, Marilyn Shulman and her late husband Elliot, and Paula Gooderum; grandmother to five, great-grandmother to three, and "adopted grandmother" to countless neighborhood children.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Clinton Jostad and sisters, Muriel Charley and Edith Ratliff.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2013 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm in the Forest Lawn Ramon Room in Cathedral City and a graveside service will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 11:30am at Desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers are welcome at the Salvation Army.
Forest Lawn Memorial Parks & Mortuaries.