Norma Jean Bushman

Norma Jean Bushman, age 72, of Edmond, Washington, died on Sunday, April 30, 2006, at her home following a sudden illness. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, Iowa, with Monsignor Cletus Hawes officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There will be no visitation; the family will greet friends after the service on Tuesday. Norma Jean Bushman was born on August 23, 1933 in Ossian, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Marie (Massman) Bushman. Jean was the oldest of eight children. She attended parochial grade school in Festina, Iowa, and graduated from Calmar High School in Calmar, Iowa. Jean continued her education at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with a degree in nursing. In 1957, Jean moved to Seattle, WA, and received a Masters Degree in Nursing from the University of Washington in 1961. Jean taught nursing at Seattle University for 35 years, receiving a Teacher of the Year award in 1994 and retiring in 1995. Her dream was to create an endowed chair in the college of nursing and she achieved that dream through her persistence, efforts and generosity. Norma Jean is survived by three brothers: Joel (Ruth Ann)Bushman, Brier, WA, Paul (Pam) Bushman, Brooklyn Park, MN, and Tom (Terri)Bushman, Ossian, IA. Three sisters; Marlene (Bob) Kudrna, Oelwein, IA, Judy (Cal) Roberson, New Hampton, IA, and Coleen (Ed) Beacom, Sergeant Bluff, IA. One sister-in-law: Madonna Bushman, Dodge, WI, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Marie Bushman and one brother, Carl Bushman.