Norma Tinkle

Norma Margaret (Bernshausen) Tinkle at the age of 98 went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at Stoney Brook of Hewitt where she resided for over 13 years.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in west, With Rev. Rob Elliott officiating. Burial will follow at Gerld Cemetery near Leroy. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

Norma was born September 9, 1927 to Martha and Rudolf Bernshausen in Gerald, Texas. She graduated from West High School in 1946. She was raised in the Gerald Community where she attended church and Sunday School at St. Paul's every Sunday as her mother played the piano and organ there for 52 years. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Paul's church. Norma married Tony Pavelka in 1946 and from that marriage came three daughters: Linda, Elaine, and Tonette. She was a wonderful mother and homemaker. While her girls were growing up, she was very involved in their activities at Hallsburg and Mart schools. She enjoyed quilting with her mother, attending quilting and ladies' meetings at the church, and working in her flower gardens. She married Bill Tinkle in 1970. Norma worked at TSTC from 1977 to 1992. During her employment years at TSTC, she worked in the Admissions Office. She enjoyed meeting and helping all the young college students with their affairs to enter college and so many were from other countries. She really enjoyed the German students as she could speak German to them and converse. Once she and Bill both retired, they moved to Otto, TX. Norma transferred her church membership to St. John's in Otto at that time, and remained a faithful member up until her death. Bill passed away in 1995 and Norma remained in Otto until moving to an assisted living facility in Waco in 2007.

Norma is preceded in death by her parents; her twin sister, Edna; her brother, Herbert; her daughter, Elaine Karnis; grandson, Jeff Beck; and son-in-law, Jimmy Holle.

Survivors include her daughters, Linda Peterson and husband Pete of Hewitt and Tonette Stem and husband Wiley of McGregor; son-in-law Wayne Karnis of Otto; three granddaughters, Monica Odenbach and husband Kevin of Caldwell, Melanie Karnis and husband John Lee of Waco, and Mandy Johnson and husband Chaad of Waco. She is also survived by eight great grandchildren, Lauren Blanton, Jaelyn Beck, Paige Odenbach, Cooper Odenbach, Jayla Lee, Jayden Lee, Ryder Johnson, and Case Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The family would like to thank the Stoney Brook staff for the excellent care they provided for the last 13+ years. The dignity and love shown to Mom will never be forgotten. Much appreciation to Accent Care as well in their care these last 18 months; Coco and Sharon were absolutely wonderful to Mom and made her worst days better. The support provided to us by Stoney Brook and Accent Care during this difficult time has been wonderful and we are forever grateful.

Pallbearers are Cooper Odenbach, Ryder Johnson, Jayden Lee, Case Johnson, John Lee, Chaad Johnson, and Kevin Odenbach.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to St. John's Church Memorial Fund, % Peggy Pursche, 303 N. Carpenter, Mart, TX 76664.

We would like to thank you all for attending today. Mom was a Christian woman and the most wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. We will all miss her so much, but how fortunate we were to have had her all these years. Please know that we will always remember your presence and your prayers through our difficult times. Linda & Tonette