Norma Alderfer is one of the centenarians honored by the State of Alaska on Centenarian's Day on Sept. 22.
Norma Alderfer left southern Kansas to marry her hometown sweetheart. Her parents saw her off that day.
A fork with bent tines tells guests exactly what Norma thinks about dieting. It's an item in her living room hutch, reminders of her full life.
Norma's father repurposed a cabinet from a shuttered hospital. Later, Norma brought it with her to Alaska. It has become her martini-making island in her kitchen, displaying her immaculate taste.
A visit to Norma Alderfer's home shows a woman who is meticulous-in her recollections, her style, her graciousness. She welcomed two visitors on a sunny day in July dressed in blue pants and a cream-colored sweater with a matching necklace, her red lipstick on and a neat stack of letters and mementos ready to share.
From Kansas to Alaska
At 101, Norma can tell you all about her childhood in Arkansas City, Kansas, the beloved only daughter of a couple who raised a daughter to be a doer.
She worked in telecommunications in Kansas City, Missouri, and then came to Alaska to marry her first husband. She discovered that the territory afforded women greater independence and freedom.
"If you were willing to work hard, whether it be housework or an office or digging ditches, you had an opportunity," Norma said. "You were given that, and you took it if you wanted it. Most of the people I have known have taken advantage of that opportunity, in particular, the women. I know some great women."
She recalls being one of the first people to learn that Alaska's efforts to become a state had been successful when Congress approved statehood in 1959. At the time, Norma was working for Midnight Sun Broadcasting.
She can also tell you about her married life, and the joy of being considered like an aunt to children who lived near her in Barrow (now Utqiagvik) when she and her second husband, Clifford, worked at the Arctic Research Laboratory, at the time about 5 miles from the town center. They lived in a half Quonset hut during that time. Those grown children look in on her, call her and keep the connection going many decades later.
She can tell you about the birthday party organized at the Captain Cook Hotel for her 100th birthday. A big group of friends commemorated the day with her, and she was written up in the newsletter of the Alaska Teamsters Local 959. Gov. Mike Dunleavy also sent her birthday greetings.
"I don't know as I have made a footprint but I know that I have been helped through disasters, like a fire and losing my husband," she said. "You can't do it alone. All you have to do is pick it up and go from there. And don't feel sorry for yourself. Thank the good Lord that he is there for you."
Norma's present
Living near the heart of Anchorage, Norma enjoys the company of friends who seek out her companionship.
Her home, with its immaculate furnishings, is a welcoming space, reflecting her taste and her long life in Alaska. She likes doing puzzles and being social.
"I've never met a person I didn't like," Norma said.
"They've had to change my mind."
A large hutch with family mementos stands in the living room. She shows off some items that she carried with her from Kansas or that her parents brought to her over the years. One item displays her sense of humor. It's a fork with bent tines, except for the middle one. It's supposed to be used if you're on a diet.
Norma keeps a file of letters and acknowledgements she has received for various service activities. She also has a photograph of her parents on a side table, a constant reminder of the people who loved her and launched her into the world.
A centerpiece in her kitchen she credits to her father. He salvaged a cabinet from a shuttered hospital near her hometown. She brought it to Alaska, painted it and it serves as a kind of "island" in her kitchen, where she stashes the ingredients and accessories of martini making.
"I've had a great life. I still like a good martini in the evening with cheese and crackers or hors d'oeuvres," Norma said. "I'm well known for my Grey Goose martinis. And I have friends who join me in that respect."
Norma's future
Although many of Norma's friends have passed, she is still active in Pioneers of Alaska, a fraternal organization founded in Nome. She also belongs to a mother's club, made up of women who support each other and actively volunteer in the community. She has regular visits and phone calls from loved ones.
"Like I say, I don't know as I'll leave a footprint, but I hope so."
Norma is looking forward to turning 102.
