Norma June Rumbaugh was born June 16, 1927 in Auburn, Nebraska. She was one of five children of Everett F. and Anna Charlotte (Wheeler) Rumbaugh. Norma received her early education at Center School and Howe School south of Auburn and graduated from Auburn High School with the class of 1946.
On May 2, 1948 Norma was united in marriage to Charles H. Apple in Auburn at the home of Rev. Kiefer. They made their home in Auburn and were blessed with three children: Charles E., Candice J., and Michael L.
Norma worked at the Nemaha County Courthouse as Deputy County Clerk and at Glen’s Drug Store in Auburn. She then worked at Auburn State Bank for 26 years until retiring in 1992. Norma and Charlie also owned and operated Apple’s Liquor Store from 1963 to 1983.
She was a member of the Auburn Legion Auxiliary and was an avid bridge player. Norma and Charlie wintered in Arizona for about 8 years, and Norma spent winters in Texas after Charlie passed in 2000.
Norma moved to Long’s Creek Assisted Living in Auburn in July of 2013. From there, in 2017, she became a resident of Colonial Acres in Humboldt, Nebraska. It was at Colonial Acres, on Thursday, May 2, 2019, Norma passed away, the 71st Anniversary of her marriage to Charlie. She had reached the age of 91 years, 10 months, and 16 days. In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law Harold and Laura Mae Rumbaugh, sisters and brother-in-law Madelyn and Russell Musick and Anna Peterson.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children and their spouses Chuck and Roxanne Apple of Santa Fe, NM; Candi and JB Nicholas of Pawnee City; Mike and Stephanie Apple of Ogallala; grandchildren and spouses Matthew and Lindsay Tuxhorn; Nicole and Shane Dunn; Charli Jo Apple; Alexis Bantz; Winston Shaw; great-grandchildren Aubree and Reese Tuxhorn, Tinley and Marshall Dunn; brother Melvin “Buzz” and wife Norma Jean Rumbaugh of Grand Island; brother-in-law Roger Peterson of Nebraska City; many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be Monday, May 6, 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Auburn. Burial will follow in Bedford Cemetery at Howe. Visitation will be Sunday noon to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 5:00 to 7:00.
Memorials are suggested to Bedford Cemetery or Auburn Rescue Squad.