Norma Brownell Fuller

Norma “Cookie” Brownell Fuller passed away July 15, 2025, in Sheridan, Wyoming at the age of 98.  She traveled the world, loved the arts, and taught that passion to her family, friends, and many tour recipients.  Military life was an underlying and resonating part of her life.  She found joy in all 22 places that she lived.

Norma was the daughter of Colonel James Russell Brownell and Mrs. Vera Cook Brownell.  Norma was born in Manila, Philippine Islands on December 2, 1926.  She was raised in the jungle of Bataan Peninsula, where her father was assigned to the U.S. military advisor in the Philippines.  She was homeschooled by her mother until she was eight years old; subsequently, they moved to Orlando, Florida and eventually, Saint Louis, Missouri.  She graduated from Mary Institute in St. Louis, a private high school, and then went on to graduate from DePauw University.

In 1950, she met and married Lieutenant Elisha (Jim) Fuller from Sheridan, Wyoming at Fort Hood, Texas.  In 1953, she had twin sons, James and Robert, born at the Presidio of San Francisco, California.  In 1956, her daughter Alice Kerns was born in Heidelberg, Germany.

During her husband’s 26-year military career, they moved 22 times.  While they were stationed in Washington, D.C., she studied art and painting at George Washington University and at the Corcoran Museum.  Eventually, she and Jim moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where Jim would retire from the U.S. Army.  They lived 42 years in Omaha, where she became one of the leading docents at the Joslyn Art Museum.  She organized and led tours to world-famous art museums from New York to San Francisco, from London to Paris, and lots in between such as Rome, Athens Cairo, Beijing, and Rio.  She was president of Joslyn Art Museum Association, was on the Joslyn Art Museum Board of Directors, and on the Acquisitions Committee.  Finally, she and her husband moved to Sheridan, Wyoming in 2013.  In Sheridan, she was a docent at the Bradford Brinton Museum, where she gave her final tour at age 91.

She loved art and travelling, and most of all, her family.

She is survived by her children; James (Spring) Fuller, Robert (Kathryn) Fuller, Alice (Dana) Kerns, Grandchildren; Brendon (Erin) Kerns, Trent (Mallory) Kerns, Elizabeth Fuller, Joanna (Jose’) Cervantez, Taylor (Cathryn) Kerns, and 12 great-grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life is at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Grace Anglican Church with a reception to follow.

Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.