Obituary of Catherine Norma Cross

Norma’s family and her life has been music. Norma was born March 10, 1917, in Lawler, Iowa the daughter of Otto W. and Olga (Buchholz) Cross. She graduated from Forest City High School in 1934. Received an Associate of Arts degree from Waldorf Junior College in 1936, transferred to the University of Iowa where she received a BA degree in Music in 1941 and a MFA degree in Music in 1942. She began her teaching career in music at the University of Iowa in 1942 where she taught as a director of the Pedagogy Laboratory retiring as Associate Professor in 1987 She was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity at Waldorf College, Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Kappa Lambda both at the University of Iowa. She had performed with Dr. Clapp and James Dixon with the University Symphony Orchestra with numerous performances, and accompanied many faculty and students in their recitals over the years. Norma has published literature and teaching materials used by many all across the United States in the aid of teaching piano. She has presented numerous workshops across the state, been a judge in local and state music festivals and contest, and is recognized in a number of National and International Biographical Listings. In addition to these accomplishments, she is a member of the Forest City United Methodist Church, American Association of University professors, Music Teachers National Association, and IMTA Music Teacher Association.