Edith Pearl Norman

Edith Pearl (Lanch) Norman, 93, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Pearl's worldly life ended peacefully on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at Life Care Center in Sandpoint, Idaho. Pearl’s family will hold a Celebration Gathering at a later date. In Pearl’s memory please plant flowers. “Into your hands I commend my spirit” Luke 23:46 Pearl was born on February 10, 1914 in Tieton, Wa. the daughter of Francis M. Lanch and Lillie Mae (Williams) Lanch. She was the oldest of seven children. Pearl, at the age of 16, married Kenneth Ivan Schenck, after a “courtship of one year”, on Saturday May 6, 1929 at the Yakima County Courthouse. During their twenty-one years together, Pearl and Kenneth had seven children: Glen Iven (who died at 12 weeks); Edna Louise Hagstrom, who passed away Feb. 24, 1999; Kenneth Donald, who died of pneumonia at 17 days old; and Albert Eugene (Frances), Clark Fork, Idaho; Elva Marie Eckert, Jerome, Idaho; Phyllis Jean Kardos (Ted), Newport, Wa.; and Sharon Arlene Dunn, Elko, Nv. The Schenck family moved throughout Washington, Oregon, California during the depression years “picking fruit at 10 cents an hour,” working on a pig farm near Prinville, Oregon in exchange for rent and “other work wherever it could be found.” Pearl worked at a soda fountain and cannery in San Jose, Ca., after World War II. In August 1947, the family moved to Pearl’s much loved Clark Fork, Idaho where she continued to raise her family, became the town’s chief cook, joined the Lutheran Church, and established lifelong friendships. Pearl and Kenneth’s marriage endured the birth and death of children, the depression and bread lines, lack of work and money, plus World War II, but it did not survive Kenneth’s problems with drinking. They were divorced September 17, 1951. Kenneth died April 18, 1971, in Santa Cruz, Ca. Pearl stated about her years with Kenneth, “I think if I were able to live them over, I’d do almost the same thing – because thro all the hardships and sickness – I loved him very much – and always will – I have 5 reasons to love him.” Pearl was not destined to be a single parent for on November 3, 1951, she married Clifford Allen Norman, Sr. She wrote, “He loved the way I cooked pork chops.” She continued to cook him pork chops, venison and fish for the next 31 years, plus she give him three children: Clifford Allen Jr. (Donna), Pendleton, Or.; Rita Elaine Plummer (Jeff), Challis, Id.; and Ricky Wayne (Linn), Wallace, Id. Several years of their married life were spent in Clayton, Id. where the youngest children attended school and graduated. Cliff worked in the mines and Pearl worked as a cook. Pearl worked in Idaho Cafes for 34 years, cooking in Sandpoint, Clark Fork, Challis, Clayton, Sunbeam and Standley, she loved her work. Clifford, World War II veteran, passed away on Feb. 26, 1982 at the Veterans Hospital in Spokane, Wa. She leaves two sisters, Roma and Helen, and two brothers, Arville and Kenny, (her beloved brother George and sister Bonnie, plus an infant brother preceded her in death). As well she leaves behind seven children, 28 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren (two grandchildren and two great grandchildren preceded her in death). She also leaves a very special daughter-in-law, Frances Schenck, Albert’s wife, who loved her as a Mother and devotely cared for her throughout her years in the nursing home. Edith Pearl was a strong woman with simple needs. She never wanted nor asked for anymore than she had. She was entirely devoted to her family. In 1973, Pearl wrote, “I couldn’t be more thankful to God for the blessings He gave me – “My Family.”