Norma Bernice Hanson

Norma B. Hanson was born on May 2nd, 1931, and passed away on August 19, 2021. She was born to Norwegian immigrant parents, Art & Evelyn Anderson.

In 1949 Norma graduated from North Kitsap High School and then attended Pacific Lutheran University for two years. On February 28, 1953, she married Earl Hanson of Bainbridge Island. They settled in Poulsbo, raised a family, and got involved in their community.

In the mid 60's she started a part-time job driving a school bus, a job that lasted 25 years. Norma would come home with many stories, but the best one, was about a cute new boy on her bus that she wanted to introduce to her youngest daughter. That was over 50 years ago! Norene and David married and had three children.

Norma donated countless hours to her community helping in any way she could. She was PTA president, she volunteered at First Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway (making pea soup & other Norwegian specialties), and baked sweet breads for the residents of Martha & Mary (for over 30 years) where she was lovingly known as "The Bread Lady". She was Poulsbo's first "Mother of the Year" and helped her husband Earl escort King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway through Poulsbo.

In the 70's, a young Norwegian woman came to town doing research on the Sámi immigrants who helped to bring reindeer husbandry to Alaska in 1898. This opened a door to a part of herself that Norma never knew was missing. It turned out that she was part Sámi (the indigenous people in the Arctic of Norway, Sweden, Finland & Russia). Norma would go on to open her heart and her home to the many who would come to visit and interview her about her grandparents & father. She hosted a 100-year celebration of the reindeer expedition at her home in Poulsbo, where local Sámi descendants and Sámi from Kautokeino, Norway came together for three days of sharing stories, music, and good food. What an amazing journey of self-discovery it was!

Norma connected to people in a way that touched many lives. She loved giving a hug and kiss (always on the lips) to those she knew and was a great listener to those in need of a friend. She will be missed by so many.

She is survived and will be forever missed by daughters Earlene Clark (Neil), Laurene Musick (Meredith), Norene Reeves (David), nephews Mike Johnson (Roberta), Brad Johnson (Greta), Rick Hoskins and neighbor Sara Cook (Bill) who they loved as their own. Grandchildren Janae Hansen (Kyle), Mathew Clark (Andrea), Amanda Clark, Mikal Reeves, Jeffrey Reeves, Ingrid Reeves, Katherine Adams (Eric), William Cook (Daniella), and Megan Cook. Great-grandchildren Wyatt Hansen, Landon Reeves, Kyja Hansen, Adian, Diego Clark & Lucas Clark, and many nieces and nephews across the country. Also, to those who rode her bus, you all held a special place in her heart.

When Covid restrictions permit a Celebration of Life will be held in her honor, date to be determined.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.