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Norma Jean (Kane) Leist Baker, 92

Norma was born on Oct. 18, 1924, to James and Blanche in Liberty Center, Ohio, and passed away Feb. 16, 2017, at Hospice House in Hayden. Norma was the youngest of seven children and raised on a farm in Ohio.

In February 1944, she met Delmar Leist, they married a short time later on June 17 of the same year. She was fond of saying they married so quickly because she just knew he was the one for her. They moved to Monrovia, Calif., and had three children. They owned and operated Del’s Auto Repair. Norma was a homemaker and took great pride in raising her children and taking care of her family. Delmar passed away in 1981.

Norma married Richard Baker in 1986. In 1992, they moved with her children and grandchildren to Coeur d’Alene. Richard passed away in 1997. Norma went on to build a house next door to her son and daughter and their families. Family was the most important thing to Norma and she enjoyed the frequent visits from her children and grandchildren. Over the last decade it became tradition to have family dinner every Saturday night. Norma was devoted to her family and her absence will be felt deeply by those who loved her.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Delmar; second husband Richard; numerous brothers and sisters; and her beloved daughter, Denise Bell. Norma is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Cindy Leist of Coeur d’Alene, who she lived with for the last few years; son-in-law David Bell of Coeur d’Alene; daughter and son-in-law Karen and Don Tarr of Rathdrum; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Suzanne (Bryan) Happell of Coeur d’Alene, Julie (Scott) Bouchard (Autumn and Gabriel) of Ontario, Canada, Steven Leist of Post Falls, Stacie (Stephen) Petroskie of Coeur d’Alene, and Chris (Christie) Tarr (Taylor and Koral) of Coeur d’Alene; and her brother, Lloyd Kane of McClure, Ohio.

“We love to the moon and back, Grammie.” — Suzanne, Julie, Steven and Stacie

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 3, 2017, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel. 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of arrangements. Please visit Norma’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.