Norma Mae Schiermiester

Gillette, Wyoming native Norma Mae Davis Schiermiester passed away January 28, 2018 with her family present in Scottsdale, Arizona.  She was 89 years old.   Norma was preceded in death by her late husband, Milton O. Schiermiester, her husband of 51 years.  She is survived by her two brothers:  Richard Davis (Dorothy Jean) and Wayne Davis (Sallie) along with her two children, Jeri Quadlin (Dave) and Aubrey of Scottsdale, AZ, and Jim Schiermiester (Lynn) of Kaycee, Wyoming.  Grandchildren surviving include Angie Bannochie, John Freimuth, Brian Schiermiester (Jayecee) and Lauren Collins (Cody) as well as great-grandchildren Chloe Collins and Kaycee Schiermiester along with several nieces and nephews. Born into a pioneer Campbell County family on March 2, 1928, Norma was the daughter of Clifford and Elma Davis. Growing up on the family ranch north of Gillette with her two brothers, she attended a one-room country school nearby before graduating from Campbell County High School in 1946.  As a student, Norma excelled academically and was known for her piano skills - often accompanying for school programs and plays.  She also enjoyed history throughout her life and possessed a remarkable recall of facts pertaining to Campbell County and the people she had grown up with there.  Following high school graduation Norma attended the University of Wyoming for one year before receiving a call from attorney, Elwood Anderson, asking her to return to Gillette to work for him, which she did. During her early career years, Norma met Milton Schiermiester, a Linton, North Dakota native who had moved to Gillette after serving in the U.S. Army.  They married on April 5, 1952.  Following the birth of their two children - Jeri Ann and Jim – Norma continued to work outside the home as an early trailblazer as a career businesswoman.  Her ability to juggle family and work responsibilities – well before household conveniences were available – was greatly enhanced by assistance from family members – mainly her mother and grandmother. In the early 1950’s Norma began a 25-year career with Ted and Bob Barlow at Barlow Insurance Agency in Gillette where she handled policies and bookkeeping as well as tax preparation. After retiring in 1976, Norma and Milt resided in Gillette and Story while wintering in Yuma, Arizona in order to spend time with their grandchildren.  In 1996 they moved to Buffalo, Wyoming and enjoyed living near their son Jim who resided on the family ranch at Kaycee.  When Milt passed away in 2003, Norma continued to reside in Buffalo and Yuma until 2013 when she moved to assisted living in Gillette.  In the fall of 2016 she moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where her daughter Jeri and grandchildren reside. Norma will be fondly remembered for always putting family first; her generosity and willingness to help others with both business and personal needs; a wonderful sense of humor; a clear recall of facts and numbers, her love of pets (Sophie) and an ability to easily identify long-time residents of Campbell County by their low license plate numbers! A memorial service will be held on June 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gillette Memorial Chapel in Gillette, Wyoming. The family suggests donations to the Powder River 4-H Club, Johnson County Extension, #30 Fairgrounds Road, Buffalo, Wyoming 82834 or Family Comfort Hospice, 7975 N. Hayden Road, Suite A-200, Scottsdale, AZ.  85258. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com