Norma Jean Schultz Averett, age 92, beloved wife, mother, foster mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away of a much-used and worn-out heart on Jan. 16, surrounded by her children, husband Dean, and angels.
Norma was born Dec. 11, 1928, in Somerset, Colo., to Casto Omfred Schultz and Fona Muhlestein. She was a middle child with one older and one younger brother. She spent a glorious childhood in Somerset, where she attended school from kindergarten through eighth grade. At the age of 13, the family moved to Provo. Her parents thought Utah would be a better place to raise a family than in a tiny mining town. While in Provo, she participated in band, school musicals, and drama. She graduated from Provo High School and later attended Brigham Young University.
On Oct. 3, 1951, she married Dean Wignall Averett in the Manti Temple. Their first home was in Granger, Utah, but they soon moved to Springville, where they raised and nurtured their six children.
Norma was always busy and had many occupations. Some of them being: published author, seamstress, department store salesperson, roadside fruit and produce vendor, flower vendor, cafeteria chef/cook, telephone telemarketing and data surveyor, chicken farmer, animal breeder, dog kennel breeder, dog whisperer, convenience store owner, newspaper delivery person, Costco food sales vendor, and movie concession worker. Using the proceeds from these jobs, she financed hundreds of drive-in movie nights for her children. She helped support missionaries and sponsored adventurous family road trips and vacations. She was never too busy for her family or to pull out several tissues from her bra to clean a child’s dirty (or adults’) face or skinned knee!
Norma had a testimony of Jesus Christ and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She loved the gospel and taught her family to serve, pray, and counsel with the Lord. She loved putting on skits and roadshows, including her infamous comedy clarinet solo. Norma and Dean enjoyed serving their 18-month mission together in the Munich, Germany mission from 1995 to 1996. Her new mission is a beautiful place where she will be socializing with family and friends, reacquainting and loving lost animals, gardening, feeding those who are spiritually hungry, but most of all, and once again, being a mother to her dear baby daughter Marcy.
Norma had a sweet disposition, a righteous nature, and was genuinely an exemplary daughter of God. Above all else, Norma loved her family (including her extended family) and any who needed a loving family.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Dean, and her five children: Kim (Cindy) Averett, Cary (Karrie) Averett, Valan (Merilee) Averett, Amy (David) Garner, and Audra (Kendall) Beatty. Also, 27 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
Dean and the entire Averett family wish to extend our love and admiration to all of our “family from another mother,” the Jennifer Allan Scruggs family, and the whole Seschillie family. We love you guys!
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Richard D. Schultz, Van Allan Schultz, daughter Marcy Dee Averett, daughter-in-law, Candice Edwards Averett, and just about every other friend or relative who was older than her.
Because we cannot meet together with our friends and extended family, please add your stories and comments on the Norma Jean Schultz Averett Memorial Facebook page or the Spring Creek website.
Special thanks to Abbington Memory Care Facility staff in Lehi, Utah, and especially indebted to Lorie, Susan, Jayleen, and Kimberly for their attentive and tender care.
Condolences can be offered at springcreekmortuary.com.
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