Norma Jean Sorensen Gilmore

Cedar City, UT - Norma Jean Sorensen Gilmore, age 76, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017 in Cedar City, UT with her children around her. She was born on April 23, 1940, in Provo, UT to John Clifford (Chris) Sorensen, Sr. and Marjorie Hixson Sorensen. She was married to Ralph Glenn Barr in Idaho Falls, ID, 1957-1961; David Russell Bolton in Bonneville County, ID, 1961-1964; Marvin Lee Tramel in Twin Falls, ID, 1964-1970; James Daniel Latimer in Las Vegas, NV, 1972-1973; Ronald W (Mike) McVay in Las Vegas, NV, 1973-1974, 1974-1974, 1974-1976; Kenneth B Gilmore in Las Vegas, NV, 1977-1992; James Ray Lowder in Clark County, NV, 1994-about 1995. Norma was raised in Idaho Falls, ID where she went to school until the 10th grade. She has also lived in Twin Falls, ID; Buhl, ID; San Pablo, CA; Naples, Italy; Boise, ID; Hollywood, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Greensborough, NC; Santa Monica, CA; Henderson, NV; New Harmony, UT; Knightdale, NC; and Cedar City, UT. Norma was a very social person, yet a bit shy, and loved working with people. She worked as an Usher in a movie theatre, as a Bartender, Hostess, Waitress, and Sales Clerk. People would request her wherever she worked and she remembered their favorite drink, food or table. She was a favorite of several movie and singing stars and their wives such as Frankie Lane, Merle Haggard and she even danced with Marty Robbins and Lloyd Bridges. When Norma was young she loved playing kick the can in the street at night with her friends and taking dance lessons and doing recitals with her sister, Christine. Norma frequently helped her brother, Cliff, when he taught dance lessons. She really loved to dance! She loved collecting movie star posters, reading magazines, roller skating, ice skating and playing the drums in the school band. As she got older she loved to play pool and bowl on leagues, travel, make ceramics, rug hooking, football, music, reading mystery novels, and watching scary movies. At six years of age she was hit by a motorcycle and her right leg bone was broken and sticking outside her leg. She was also in a coma for 14 days. Her brother, Jay, would pull her around on a sled the rest of the winter and keep kids from teasing her about her cast. In the last few years she loved going to the movies and lunch with her sister-in-law, Rebecca. This last year her passion has been knowing EVERYTHING about her favorite Elk, Firecracker. She is survived by her children: Tammy Jean Barr Graf (Robert)of New Harmony, UT; Jerri Ann Barr Holdaway of Cedar City, UT; Teri Lyn Bolton Whitbeck of Boise, ID; John Budd Jones (Coleen) of Rupert, ID; her sister: Edith Christine Sorensen Bartow of Eureka, MT; her grandchildren: Ryan Dennis Hodges (Christy) of Twin Falls, ID; Nathaniel Keith Hodges (Erin) of Colorado Springs, CO; Sean Christopher Hodges of Twin Falls, ID; Xarissa Ann Holdaway of Manhattan, NY; Stefan Adam Holdaway of Provo, UT; Kristy L Whitbeck of Middleton, ID; Sandra V Whitbeck of Middleton, ID; Jessica Lynn Jones of Rupert, ID; Amanda Marie Oglevie (Matt) of Paul, ID; and great-grandchildren: Madisen Lynn Hodges of Twin Falls, ID; Avery Eve Hodges of Twin Falls, ID; Emily Jean Hodges of Twin Falls, ID; Carson Oglevie of Paul, ID; and Juliana Oglevie of Paul, ID. She was preceded in death by her parents; son: David Russell Bolton of Idaho Falls, ID; brothers: Joseph Jay Sorensen of Idaho Falls, ID; and John Clifford (Cliff) Sorensen Jr. of Cedar City, UT; and great-grandson: Ethan Ryan Hodges of Salt Lake City, UT. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Visiting Angels, Cedar City Hospital, Dixie Regional Medical Center, Bella Terra, Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah and Cedar City Cemetery who have helped Norma and her family with expertise, kindness and compassion. We would also like to thank Bishop Lee Hulet for being a faithful Home Teacher and Bishop to Norma. He frequently traveled many miles to her changing locations. A special thank you to all of those friends who served and loved Norma; she spoke of you many times and your numerous small acts of kindness and compassion. Her final years were truly enriched by your love and support. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Cedar City Stake Center at 155 E 400 S, Cedar City, UT. A Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the LDS Cedar City Stake Center. Interment will take place at the Cedar City Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to share condolences online at: www.SerenityStG.com. In lieu of flowers please send donations to North Star Elk Ranch, 360 E 800 N, Rupert, ID, 83350 to help support John and Coleen Jones Elk herd. Norma had the pleasure of watching an Elk birth on July 4, 2016 and naming him Firecracker. She would love to help contribute to the care of Firecracker and the rest of the herd.

Norma Jean Sorensen Gilmore

April 23, 1940 - April 16, 2017