Norma Elaine Pleva

Norma Elaine Pleva, 94, of Traverse City passed away with her loving family at her side on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Munson Hospice House.

Norma was born on December 6, 1928, in Traverse City to the late Archie and Jessie (Riley) Adams. She married James A. Savage on July 11, 1946. In 1947, their son, James Lee, was born. Their union was not everlasting, and on June 9, 1956, Norma married Thomas Pleva, and they welcomed daughter Lorinda Sue in 1964. Norma and Tom had over 35 wonderful years together before he passed in 1992.

Norma was always an active woman who loved life! She enjoyed snowmobiling, deer hunting, and cross-country skiing at the family cabin well into her middle age. In her later years, she loved watching the birds at her feeders in the backyard, playing bingo and bunco, and socializing over coffee with her friends in the Woodcreek neighborhood. She also kept busy working on her Thomas Kincade puzzles and enjoying the old "Shirley Temple" movies at home.

Norma was a woman of quiet strength and was not one to shy away from a challenge. She didn't have time to complain and always did what needed to be done, whatever the circumstances. Her motto was, "Where there's a will, there's a way." Yet, within her "grit," she also had a soft, devoted heart. She fiercely loved her family and selflessly doted on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Norma is survived by her children, James L. Savage and Lorinda (Timothy) Berger, both of Traverse City; her granddaughters, Kerri (Stephen) Holter, Christy Savage, and Ashlee (Fiancé Tanner Marlow) Berger; her great-grandchildren, Max, Alexa, Jake, Emma, Jeremiah, and Zeke; her siblings, Eileen Haywood and Donald (Coleen) Adams; and many other cherished family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tom Pleva; her granddaughter, Lisa Johnson; her sisters, Edith, Fern, Doris, and Jacqueline; her brother, Stanley; and their respective spouses; and her brother-in-law, Ken Haywood.

Norma's family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the Munson Hospice House for their compassionate care and support.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 26, 2023, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with a visitation at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Munson Hospice House. Kindly share thoughts and memories with her family www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .