Norma Joan Henningsen

Norma Joan Henningsen was born on September 25, 1931 to Edward and Elsa (Beeck) Jepsen in Charter Oak, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at the United Church of Christ in Schleswig. Norma received her education from a rural country school in Hanover Township until the eighth grade. She started working in local family homes cleaning and babysitting at a young age. Several years later, she went to work at the Candy Kitchen in Denison.

Norma married Marlo Henningsen on October 25, 1959 at the United Church of Christ in Schleswig and were blessed with the births of four daughters: Rhonda, Donna, Karla and Marlys (and never gaining over seven pounds while pregnant)! The family made their home on a farm south of Vail. Norma worked hard every day on the farm milking and herding cattle, tending for the chickens and hogs, cooking warm meals for her family and raising her children. After her children graduated high school, she started working at the Manilla Manor as a CNA. Norma and Marlo moved to Denison in 1997 and she started working as a cook at the Reed House. She won the award of Best Cook in Iowa and Nebraska at the Reed House Assisted Living Home.

Norma was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. She spent many years teaching Sunday School, being a dedicated member of the Ladies Aid and Wedding Ring Club, and counting weekly offerings, as well as, making time for other various volunteer work for the church. She loved tending her vegetable garden and never lacked the extra work canning her produce for the winter months. She also enjoyed her flower beds. Embroidery and crocheting baby blankets for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren was her specialty. Norma and Marlo always maintained a close relationship with their neighbors. They were in a card club for many years where they especially enjoyed playing Euchre. Her children and grandchildren could always count on her cheering them on at their various events. Faith and family were important to her. Even in her most trying times she never gave up on her faith. She cherished the times and special memories made with her family. Family didn't stop at her husband, children and grandchildren, she cherished her nieces and nephews also as her own.

Norma passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, December 23, 2022 at Gracewell - Eventide Lutheran Home at the age of 91 years, two months and 28 days.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; great-grandchild, Jordann Jurgensen; two brothers: Arnold Jepsen and Edward Jepsen; and three sisters: Delores Jepsen in infancy, Leanna Hopp and Marjorie Flink. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Marlo Henningsen of Denison; four daughters: Rhonda (Ron) Pankau of Schleswig, Donna (Dan) Henkenius of Arcadia, Karla (Darien) McCollough of Vail and Marlys (Randy) Venenga of Blue Springs, Missouri; 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; brother, Fred (Shirleen) Jepsen of Charter Oak; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, burial will follow in the Crawford Heights Memory Gardens Cemetery also in Denison. Memorials may be directed to the family.