Norma J. Hawley

Norma Jean (Neddermeyer) Hawley was born near Kenwood, Iowa on March 29, 1932, third child of Chris and Lena (Sievers) Neddermeyer. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Charter Oak, where Norma spent her childhood. Along with her siblings, she spent much of her youth working in her father’s grocery store. Norma attended Lutheran school and later Charter Oak high school; she was the first in her family “to get to go to high school” and she was proud of the fact that she graduated valedictorian in 1951.
After high school, Norma left Charter Oak for Omaha, Nebraska, where she spent several years working for the dean of the business school of Omaha University. She enjoyed her independence and the professional responsibilities she assumed there. A quick learner and efficient organizer, meticulous with details, Norma would later remember her Omaha years fondly. She made frequent use of these skills in later life (she often took notes in shorthand).
Norma married Robert Clair Hawley on December 19, 1958, and they made a home for themselves and their children on the Hawley family farm a few miles north of Vail, Iowa. Norma was a devoted wife and mother, always proud to describe her profession in life as “homemaker” even though for more than a decade she worked in partnership with husband Bob order-buying cattle as part of their “Direct Marketing Service”. They both loved visiting ranchers out west and cattle feeders back home. Norma and Bob stood by each other for more than 52 years until Bob’s death in 2011.
Already in her early adulthood, Norma came to be afflicted with a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis. The debilitating effects of this painful disease came to be pronounced, especially on her hands, knees, and feet. Yet she persevered in maintaining her independence as much as possible, often with admirable ferocity, until the very end of her life. It was probably arthritis that instilled in her a persistent interest in “health food” and alternative medicine, long before such things became popular. Nutritional fasting, herbal infusions, drinking lots of water and eating many fruits and vegetables (avocados!), and above all “avoiding junk food” were regular habits for most of her adult life.
The Lutheran church was also very important in Norma’s life. She and husband Bob were charter members of Our Savior Lutheran in Denison, and remained active in that congregation until declining health prevented their doing so. Norma greatly enjoyed socializing and participating actively in church events. She was especially happy to teach the 1st year confirmation class (she had committed Luther’s small catechism to memory in her youth, and was fond of initiating doctrinal debates with the pastors).
Norma and Bob left the farm for Denison in 2001, first for Realife, and then for Eventide. Once in Eventide, her children would often jokingly ask each other “How long do you think it will take till she’s running the place?” In all seriousness, though, Norma had a deep appreciation for all the Eventide staff; she was grateful for their particular and kind attention, for example in matters of food preparation or in other domestic arrangements. She also greatly enjoyed Eventide social activities. She was proud to be spelling bee champion several years in a row, and got to be proficient with driving her “jazzy” down the halls, sometimes at surprising speeds.
Norma was kind and considerate to all who knew her. She looked forward to family gatherings, and to having long conversations with friends. She was thrifty (fond of coupon clipping), except perhaps for once or twice a year when she would enjoy shopping with her family in Omaha. She enjoyed reading (sometimes until early in the morning), playing card games (ditto), and staying sharp with word games. She also enjoyed practical jokes; April 1st was a favorite day, for example, and she almost never failed to baffle her kids with a cleverly planned ruse every year.
Survivors include daughter Susan and husband Jay, daughter Beth and husband Roger, daughter Jane and husband Guy, son Robert and wife Carole; eleven grandchildren: Matt, Carly, Alyssa, Neil, Blake, Kyle, Winter, Rye, Willem, Beau, Rob; two great grandchildren: Wyatt and Connor; sister Lois; many nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, and other friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob; sisters Vernet, Marlene and Nancy; brother Chris; sisters-in-law Marie Hinz and Verdean Neddermeyer; brothers-in-law Brownie Larson, Dick Butler, and Ted Hawley; and by two grandchildren, Nicole and Avery.