Norma Evelyn (Combs) Tharp, the daughter of Thomas Herschel and Lucy Jane (Noble) Combs, was born September 8, 1923 in Langdon, Missouri. She attended Langdon country schools in her early years and graduated from Rock Port High School.

Norma was united in marriage to Herbert Donald Tharp on June 28, 1941, and they made their home in Rock Port their entire married life. She was employed for many years as a bookkeeper for Cox Insurance.

Norma was a member of the Rock Port Chapter #440, Order of the Eastern Star. As an active member of the United Methodist Church, Norma belonged to United Methodist Women. She attended a women’s bible study group, served her church in numerous ways, and rarely missed services on Sunday morning. Norma was a board member of the Area Agency on Aging for Northwest Missouri, where she served on numerous committees, helping to ensure services were provided for senior citizens in her community. She also served as treasurer on the Rock Port Senior Center Advisory Committee. Norma was a familiar face at the Senior Center, where she served as a greeter, helped with Meals on Wheels, all fundraisers, brought extra baking from home, and was a dear and loyal friend to everyone there. She enjoyed horses, especially the time spent with Don and her children on trail rides and at horse shows.

Norma was a friendly, giving and caring person, who truly enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and who will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege to know her. She passed away Monday, May 4, 2009 at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 85 years.

Norma is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Don. Survivors include one daughter, Donna Lynn, Papillion, Nebraska; three sons, Barry Tharp and his wife, Gloria, Hackett, Arkansas, Steve Tharp, Ralston, Nebraska and Phil Tharp, Lafayette, Colorado; five grandchildren, Jeff and his wife, Jane, Sarah, Julie, Spud and his wife, Mary Cecelia, and Golda; and five great grandchildren, Dillon, Carson, Jake, Roz and Celie.

Services: 10:30 am, Friday, May 8, 2009 at United Methodist Church, Rock Port. Interment will follow at Linden Cemetery, Rock Port.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
Memorials: Atchison County First Responders or Rock Port Chapter #440, Order of the Eastern Star.

Services under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.