Norma Jean Metzer, 89, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away Friday, February 12, 2016. She was born in Trenton, Nebraska to Earnest Fay and Hazel Alice (Woods) Thomas.

She lived in Trenton, Nebraska for 20 years, and then moved to Homedale, Idaho. In Homedale, she met and married Ardell John Metzer, Sr. Their family moved around following work for a few years. They moved to Oakridge for three years before moving to Sweet Home, and lived there from 1961 to 1983.

In 1982, Ardell passed away. Norma then moved back to Tenton, Nebraska in 1983. In 2000, she moved back to Eagle, Idaho until 2005, then she returned to Sweet Home.

Norma was a homemaker. She became a Christian when she was baptized in 1982. She was a member of Highway 20 Church of Christ. She was a member of the VFW and was a lifetime member of Eastern Star.

She liked camping, fishing, painting ceramics, crocheting, and reading. She canned and put up food for the winters. She enjoyed playing Pinochle with her Pinochle club. She also played Bingo with her neighbors. She loved family gatherings and playing Pinochle and other games with her family and friends.

Norma is survived by children Ardell John Metzer, Jr., of Richland, Washington, Lynda Ann Gilbertson of Kennewick, Washington, Earnest Roy and his wife, LaMona Williamson, of Klamath Falls, David Paul Williamson of Sweet Home, Richard Eugene and his wife, Donna Metzer, of Meridian, Idaho, Sandra Lee and her husband, Edgar Seiber, of Sweet Home; 19 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren, and 26 great great granchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ardell John Metzer, Sr.; brothers Robert “Tom” Thomas and Donald Thomas; sisters Pauline Tramell and Dorothy Hall.

Viewing will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 19, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Final burial will be at Gilliland Cemetery.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.