Norma Lee Ashby

Norma Lee (Griffin) Ashby was born in Osceola, IA on January 3, 1933 to Paul Griffin and Grace (Culbertson) Russell. She died on April 10, 2021 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, NE at the age of 88 years. Norma attended school in Osceola, graduating from Osceola High School in 1951. Upon graduation she moved to Des Moines and worked for Deco Engineering.

Norma married Marion J. Ashby on May 28, 1961 in Bethany, MO. They were married for 38 years until his death in 1999. She graduated from the Americana Academy of Beauty in Des Moines and for a time was a stylist and salon owner in Chariton. Later, Norma obtained her real estate and broker’s license and started Lucas County Real Estate. She held many other jobs through the years including sales representative for jewelry companies.

She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed reading and travelling. Norma was a lifelong member of the Osceola Eagles Club and in her later years, enjoyed outings with friends in the Red Hat Society. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi for fifty years.

Norma is survived by her son, Brad Ashby and wife Jane along with grandsons, Scott and Bennett Ashby, all of Omaha, as well as nieces, nephews, other family and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, stepfather Fred Russell, brother Rex Griffin, stepson Brian Ashby, and stepsister Mavis Morrison.

Celebration of Life event will be held on Thursday, May 13 at the Osceola Eagles Club from noon until 2:30 p.m., with a graveside service following at the Norwood Cemetery.