Norma Jean Severe Vanbiber

Norma Jean Severe Vanbiber died peacefully in her sleep on Monday morning, December 6, 2021.

Norma was born September 28, 1933 in Perry, Oklahoma to her parents, Otto and Irma (Nida) Severe. She met Russell Vanbiber when he moved to Perry, Oklahoma in 8th grade. They married on August 5, 1954 and enjoyed 65 years of marriage.  Norma attended Oklahoma State University and worked in the University’s financial aid office.

During their many corporate transfers, Mom always made sure her children knew they were “home” no matter where the family moved.  She was happiest surrounded by her family, talking with her many friends, playing bridge, spending time studying the Bible and participating in Sunday school class and worshiping with family and friends.  Norma took greatest pride in her three sons, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Norma was the beloved wife of Russell “Russ” Vanbiber, Jr.; loving sister of Don and wife Virginia Severe, Leroy and wife Gail Severe and John and wife Karen Severe; devoted mother of Russell Carl Vanbiber III, Craig Alan Vanbiber and his wife, Jamie Gautreau Vanbiber, Scott Evan Vanbiber and his wife, Melissa Daniels Vanbiber; dearest Grandma of Russell Vanbiber IV, Linda Vanbiber, Rebecca Vanbiber, Hannah Vanbiber Wagner and husband, Ben Vanbiber Wagner, Sarah Yepishin and husband, Sergei Yepishin, and Sam Vanbiber and Zack Vanbiber; Great-Grandma of Isaiah, Simon and Mila Yepishin; and aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Don Severe and Leroy Severe, her sister-in-law, Loretta Faye Carson, and brother-in-law, Stanley Carson.

Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. and the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at Klein Funeral Home Champions, 16131 Champion Forest Dr., Klein, Texas 77379. The service will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/GO2zpSVDwIY. Click the link for information.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Norma’s memory to the church she loved and in which she was active for twenty-two years, Cy-Fair Christian Church, 9730 Grant Rd., Houston, TX 77070.

Burial will follow several days later in Perry, Oklahoma.