Memoriam

Nora Saum – LBG #5

Nora Saum, 90, of Gettysburg, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, at SpiriTrust Lutheran Home in Gettysburg. She was born December 8, 1924 in Stratton, Miss., she was the daughter of the late William and Minnie (Buntyn) Russell. She was the wife of the late Russell Saum, who died in 1995.  Mrs. Saum was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Biglerville. She was a Veteran of the United States Army WAC’s serving as a Medical Services Technician during World War II. While stationed at Fort Atterbury, Indiana she met her future husband, an Army Ranger.  For a short time she worked at CH Mussleman’s in Biglerville and then at the Mechanicsburg Naval Depot, but for many years she was a supervisor of the Gettysburg Battlefield Guide Program for the National Park Service. While Guide Supervisor Nora designed and implemented the dreaded oral examination all LBG’s had to endure in order to earn their license.  On July 19, 1980 she retired after eighteen years service with the NPS and Superintendent John Earnst presented her with Badge #5 in honor of her years of service.  Nora took her first guided tour that August and continued averaging 250 plus tours a year until she retired for good in 1989. She was formerly member of the Eastern Star.  Nora is survived by two sons, Donald Saum (Karen) of York Springs, and Joseph Saum (Anna) of Aspers; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Mac Russell of Union, Miss.; and sister, Ann Dykes of La. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by her son, John Saum.  Services for Nora Frances Saum will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Monahan Funeral Home, 125 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, PA. Burial with full military honors being presented by the Adams County Allied Veterans will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Gettysburg. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3544 North Progress Ave., Suite 204, Harrisburg, PA 17110, or to the American Cancer Society, 924 N. Colonial Ave., York, PA 17403.