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Myrtle Helen Norton was born July 8, 1900 in Falls City, Washington. Her father, Harvey Norton, a construction worker, called himself an "Oklahoma Cowboy". Her mother was Celia Huffman Norton, and came from Springfield, Illinois. Myrtle was the sixth of seven children born to Celia and Harvey.
As a young adult, while living and working in Elgin, Oregon, Myrtle fell in love with and married her employer, Iver Simonsen. She and Iver were blessed with three children: Wanda Wynema, Ivan Olaf (right), and Wynema Darlene (aka Nikki). |
In 1933, the young couple purchased a small acreage on the edge of the Grande Ronde River, and settled in Elgin, OR. Iver worked in road construction, putting in the new highway on the Minam grade, and for the city of Elgin, as town marshal, and as superintendent of the project that put in the new city water system.
In August of 1942, Iver had just started a new job in Spokane, Washington when he passed away in the night.
Myrtle and her children stayed in the family home in Elgin, and after several years Myrtle married Hans Running, who had long been a good friend to she and Iver.
It was during this time that a beautiful little blond, brown-eyed, four year old girl came into Myrtle's life.
Myrtle's neighbor, who was a single father, asked her to care for his daughter, and she remained with Myrtle until she was grown. So Nancy became Myrtle's fourth, and youngest child, and a wonderful part of her family.
In the mid 1950's, Hans suffered a heart attack, and on March 14, 1959, he quietly slipped away to be with the Lord.
Myrtle sold the acreage in Elgin after a couple years, and moved to Payette, Idaho where her son Ivan lived with his wife, Dorothy, and his family. In 1977, Myrtle's daughter Wanda, joined her mother and brother in Payette, after the death of her husband. It was a special blessing to have two of her children just a few doors down the street!
When Ivan and Dorothy retired in 1992 and decided to leave Payette, both Wanda and Myrtle decided to go too, and soon everyone arrived in Ashland, Oregon, where they still reside.
Myrtle says she loves Ashland; the beautiful scenery, the lovely apartment where she lives, the people she has come to know here, and the fellowship at the Baptist Church.
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NANCY, NIKKI, MYRTLE, IVAN, WANDA
"Her children rise up and call her blessed."
Proberbs 31:28
On July 8, 2000 family and friends of Myrtle Running came from near and far to honor her and celebrate her 100th birthday! If you were unable to be at this spectacular party,
hopefully you will feel included as you share the magic now.
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