Reta Norton

Hastings resident, Reta Faye Norton, 54, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska.

Memorial Services will be Wednesday, February 13, 2013; 3:00 P.M. at Butler Volland Chapel, Hastings with The Most Reverend William J. Dendinger officiating. Burial with military rites by Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Elks State Army of Hope, c/o Lodge Secretary Hastings B.P.O. Elks Lodge #159, 3050 East South Street, Hastings, Nebraska 68901. Visitation will be Monday, February 11, 2013; 1:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. with family present 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Reta was born August 27, 1958 in Franklin, Nebraska to Orville U. & Velma B. (Hines) Bienhoff. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1976 and attended the University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina and University of Nebraska Kearney, Kearney, Nebraska. Reta married Bradley Gene Norton on March 7, 1981 at All Saints Chapel at Good Samaritan Village in Hastings, Nebraska. She served in the United States Air Force from November 28, 1977 until November 30, 1997. Reta was an Air Force medic and retired as a Technical Sergeant. She received the Humanitarian Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal. Reta was currently serving as the Loyal Knight of the Hastings B.P.O. Elks Lodge #159. She was the Hastings Lodge Chair of the Veterans Programs and the State Chair of the Elks Army of Hope. She was the Elks State Lodge Officer of the Year in 2011-2012 and Elks State Veterans Service Commission Volunteer of the Year in 2011-2012. Reta was a member of Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 1999, they moved from Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina to Hastings.

Reta was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include:
Husband: Brad Norton - Hastings, NE
Sons & Daughter-in-law: Matthew Norton - Hastings, NE
Michael & Delta Norton - Hastings, NE
Brothers & Sister-in-law: Calvin & Lyla Bienhoff - San Antonio, TX
Lloyd Bienhoff - Pottsboro, TX
Sister: Valjean West - Harrisburg, PA
Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins