Nora Mae Hershman, 81, of Richland, WA, died Saturday, June 25, 2005, at the Life Care Center of Richland.  She lived in the Tri-Cities since 1952.

She was born June 15, 1924, in Malta, Montana and grew up in the Seven Mile area outside Malta where her father, Nolan Sutton, mother, Anna, brothers, Shirley and John and sister, Vera homesteaded and farmed.  She was active working on her parent's farm where she rode horses and loved farm life.

Nora was active in high school basketball, and was such a devoted student she was able to skip one entire grade in high school.  She was baptized in the Christian Church.

For 17 years Nora was a cashier for Malley’s Pharmacy and for Safeway.  She loved her work and co-workers; however, her happiest moment came upon retirement at age 62 so she could spend more time with her husband, Lefty, fishing, camping and visiting family.

She was a doting grandmother who lived for those times she could spoil any of her grandchildren or great grandchildren.  Her greatest gift to the community was that she raised 3 children and gave them the values to be good citizens of the world.

Nora is survived by her husband, Leonard Lefty Hershman; children, Debbie Billy Claphan of Denver, CO, Len Hershman of Spokane, WA, Lynelle Merle Bushman of Billings, MT; daughter-in-law, Sharon Hershman; brother, Shirley Sutton; grandchildren, Tina McBee, Koey and Klayton Waters, and Sarah, Megan and Derek Hershman; 3 step grandchildren, Erin, Michael and Colleen Rice; 7 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Sutton; sister, Vera Haugen and son, Gary Hershman.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday June 29, 2005, at Einan’s Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be at Einan’s Funeral Home from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.