Mrs. Norma Louise Rector

Mrs. William (Norma) Rector passed away on August 28, 2018, in Denver, Colorado, after a long illness.

Mrs. Rector was born on a farm near Venango, Nebraska, September 13, 1921. She attended school and graduated in Venango and went on to receive a B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Norma was awarded a teaching position at Huntington Beach, California. While there, Norma received an offer to be a stewardess for American Airlines. However, she could not fill the position due to the length of her teaching contract. In 1948, Norma accepted a teaching position in Cheyenne at Johnson Junior High, where she met and married Bill Rector, also a teacher at Johnson.

Bill and Norma bought the Owl Inn Restaurant, at Central and 7th Avenues, in 1950, which they owned for over forty years. Many people will remember Norma from the Owl Inn, particularly those who ate there in the morning, as Norma opened the doors at 6 A.M. and greeted most of the customers by name.

Norma always enjoyed working for her community. She was elected President of Women’s Civic League and Bishop’s Guild and served on the Boards of the Botanic Gardens, Cathedral Guild, St. Anthony’s Circle, and Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. The Botanical Gardens planted a Brandywine Crabapple in her honor near the gazebo overlooking Sloan’s Lake.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, William G. Rector, and her granddaughter, Sarah. She is survived by a son, William Rector, Jr. M.D., a daughter, Christine, a daughter-in-law, Nancy Rector MD, and two grandchildren, James and David Rector.

Donations may be sent to the Cheyenne Botanical Gardens.