Norma Jean Vanersvelde

Norma Jean VanErsvelde, age 85 of Brooklyn, passed away Friday, February 7, 2025 at her home under Essence of Life Hospice. Funeral Mass: 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, February 12, 2025, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Brooklyn, with Father Scott Foley officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7  p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at Kloster Funeral Home in Brooklyn. Memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous in Norma’s honor. Kloster Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Norma is survived by her children Diane (Roger) Formanek of Belle Plaine, Karol (Dan) Roller of Sigourney, and Angie (Curt) Kriegel of Hartwick; eight grandchildren, Mindy (Nate) Venz of Indianola, Haley (Pat) Ayers of Mitchellville, Kacie (Matt) McCahen of Hudson, Travis (Jen) Kriegel of Belle Plaine, Emily (Scott) Riedel of Hartwick, Kassidy (Dan) Arp of Traer, Megan (Ethan) Abbott of Lone Tree, Kelli Formanek of Victor; and 13 great-grandchildren, Grace, Logan, Harper, Kaden, Landin, Hunter, Van, Violet, Cael, Ava, Lexi, Austyn and Collins. Also surviving are sisters Betty Ellis of Grinnell, Vera Lull of Johnston, and Jan Kahue of Sacramento, CA.

Norma is preceded in death by her mother Mae Gregory, her husband Don in 2024, a son Danny in 2009, great-grandchildren, Luke, Ivy, and Lainey Riedel, brothers, Russ and Bill Gregory, father and mother-in-law, Frank and Sylvia VanErsvelde, brother in law Sardar Wardak, and sisters-in-law Barb VanErsvelde and Jane Kriegel.

Norma Jean Gregory was born October 8, 1939, at her family home in rural Poweshiek County. She received her education in the Montezuma schools and graduated from Montezuma High School in 1957. Norma met the love of her life, Don VanErsvelde, at the roller-skating rink in Brooklyn. She and Don were married November 30, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Norma devoted her life to caring for their son Danny, as well as working alongside Don on their farm. She found time to enjoy favorite pastimes, watching Iowa Basketball, Christmas movies, and game shows. She enjoyed doing the word search puzzles, making Christmas cookies, sending cards and watching the baby calves in the pasture. Her daughters loved watching Mom dance around the kitchen while cooking the family meals. Norma also kept a daily diary. Norma was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, in Brooklyn, the Altar and Rosary Society, Poweshiek County Dairy Association, and Poweshiek County Pork Producers.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Jess Rust, and Essence of Life Hospice for the compassion and care that was extended to Norma and the family during Norma’s final days.