Norma Alexander

Norma Alexander, 81, of Winterset died Friday, June 28, 2013, while surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 2nd at the United Methodist Church in Winterset with burial to follow in the Winterset Cemetery. A visitation will be held from Noon to 8 p.m., Monday, July 1st at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset; where family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Norma Jean Downing was born April 10, 1932 in Guthrie County to John and Evelyn (Vaux) Downing. She grew up around Panora and graduated from Panora High School in 1949. Her marriage to Eugene Alexander took place November 10, 1949 at the Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa. Norma would best be known for her almost 30 year career as owner of Alexander’s Fabrics which was located on the north side of the Winterset Square. She loved quilting, dancing and traveling, especially to winter in Texas which she did for many years. She also enjoyed attending CIA Car Club car shows with her longtime friend and companion Bill Paull. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Winterset as well as a member of the Madison County Historical Society where she was a frequent volunteer. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Debora (Harold) Kephart of Winterset; four grandchildren, Andrew (Jessica) Kephart; Angela (Brad) Arensdorf; Jennifer Anderson and Laura (Dylan) Whitson and three great grandchildren, Rilie Whitson and Elizabeth and Kinslee Kephart; a brother-in-law, Duane Johnston of Council Bluffs and special friend and companion, Bill Paull of Winterset. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Evelyn (Vaux) Downing; her husband, Eugene in 1981; a daughter, Sherri Anderson; her sister, Donna Johnston and a granddaughter, Alexandria Cassady.