Obituary of Norma E. Sprague

Fort Edward: Norma E. Sprague, 87, formerly of Gouverneur, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at Fort Hudson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with her loving family by her side. Born on December 9, 1922 in Atlanta, Nebraska, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Clara (Christensen) Zimmerman. Norma was a 1940 graduate of the Holdrege High School in Holdrege Nebraska. She went on to attend the Kearney State Teacher’s College in Kearney, Nebraska before transferring to the Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital in Omaha where she earned her nursing degree in 1944. Following her college graduation, she met the love of her life, Frank W. Sprague and the couple wed on April 22, 1946 in Leonardtown, Maryland. Norma worked as a registered nurse and supervisor at the E. J. Noble Hospital in Gouverneur for nearly 35 years. She was an active member of the First Methodist Church in Gouverneur, the E.J. Noble Hospital, Ladies Auxiliary, past member of the Eastern Star, the National Grange, and the American Nurses Association. Norma and her husband enjoyed raising pigeons and beagles for competition over the years. She was known as an accomplished cook and baker. Besides her parents, she is also predeceased by her brother, Neale Zimmerman and her grandson, Forrest Sprague. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Frank W. Sprague of Fort Edward; her three children, Andrew C. Sprague and his wife Marie of Warrensburg, Lynn Sprague and his wife, Ellen of Hendersonville, NC, Bethany Fine and her husband, Stan of St. Louis, MO, two grandsons, Max Stahl and Andrew L. Sprague, four granddaughters, Cammie Simmes, Heather Kennedy, Juliet Schatzberger, Sarah Bebee; four great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. At Norma’s request, there are no calling hours scheduled. Burial will be conducted privately at the New Riverside Cemetery in Gouverneur at the convenience of the family. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Fort Hudson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Norma’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Fort Hudson for their outstanding care and compassion toward Norma. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.