Elizabeth Norris was born September 22, 1912 in Kronstadt, Romania the middle child of five daughters to Julia and Johann Nedwed. She was schooled in Kronstadt and enjoyed theatre, dancing, and song. After graduation, she worked as a secretary in an office setting.
In 1945, the Soviet Union occupied Romania. Elizabeth and her sister Maria Beldi were forced to work in Siberian Labor coal camps. After two years, they were released due to severe illness and sent to East Germany. At the end of the war, they fled to Austria with help of friends and family. In 1955, Elizabeth immigrated to the USA with help from two sisters who had already immigrated with the assistance of the United German Lutheran Church.
She lived in Seattle with her sister Maria Beldi and family. In 1956, she married Adolph Bennetson and together they farmed in Day Creek. They milked cows for Darigold, logged, and ran the Day Creek Store. Elizabeth won many awards for knitting, crocheting, and crafts. The Day Creek Store became the focus meeting place for local farmers, loggers, gravel pit workers, and anyone else traveling up and down the South Skagit Highway. Adolph Bennetson passed away in 1976.
In 1981, Elizabeth married Myrl Norris and moved to Sedro-Woolley. Together they enjoyed fishing, photography, flower gardening, crafts, and camping. They made several trips to Alaska, California, and other places of interest. Myrl Norris passed away in 1993.
Elizabeth Norris was a member of the Skagit Valley Grange, Washington and National Grange, Skagit Rovers Camping Club and the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Two sisters survive her. They are Maria Beldi and her husband Walter, niece Hedda and nephew Dieter living in the greater Seattle area. A sister Anna Pillman living in Romania with her daughter Anemone and husband Ica.
A Remembrance Potluck Gathering will be held Sunday, June 2, 2002 from 1pm to 5pm at the home of Cliff and Diane Russell 9569 Glenwood Acres Rd Sedro-Woolley. Please come and share pictures, stories, visit with old friends and enjoy some food in the true spirit of Elizabeth. Memorials are suggested in the form of a potluck dish or a donation to the Skagit Valley Grange c/o George McRae 8578 F & S Grade Rd Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. Private family interment services were held at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, WA.