GRANDY, Norma J. 1939-2016

GRANDY, KONKEN

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 5/24/2017 at 12:49:09

June 24, 1939 - November 20, 2016

Biography--

Norma was born in Fern, Iowa, in 1939, to Sophia and Sam Konken. Being significantly younger than her three siblings, Norma grew up in the company of friends and her oldest nephew. She attended a one-room schoolhouse for eight years and graduated from Dike High School. She worked at the Fern Creamery and the high school cafeteria.

After high school, Norma studied art education at Iowa State Teachers College. After two years Norma got a summer job in the art department at Santa Claus Associates in Waterloo. The summer job turned full-time and Norma never returned to college. At Santa Claus, she became friends with Cleo who played matchmaker and set Norma up with her son, Jack Grandy, who had just returned from Texas. Norma and Jack met and within a year were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Following the birth of their daughter, Tracy, in 1964 Norma did artwork from home.

Three years later she was hired as graphic artist at Standard Screen Print/Standard Golf and remained there for over 30 years. Norma’s artwork has appeared on the flags of golf courses and country clubs around the world as well as on thousands of 1/16 and 1/64 scale farm toys. Locally, her “CF” High School logo is still used today.

Norma enjoyed her family and especially loved being a mom. She nurtured with a balance of enthusiastic support and freedom and was often referred to by neighborhood kids as their “second mom” or “other mother.” Though divorced in 1983, she and Jack remained close until his death in 2013. She had fun giving her son-in-law, Pat, a hard time and her grandsons, Brennan and Colin, were a source of great pride and pleasure.

Friendships, old and new, with people of all ages gave Norma great joy. Other pleasures included poetry, gardening, walking, cooking, music (from Vestal Goodman to Lady Gaga), learning, and laughing. Though challenging at times, she always tried to approach life with empathy, humor, faith and questions.

She is survived by her daughter, Tracy (Patrick Ashwood) Grandy, of Cedar Falls; two grandsons, Colin Ashwood, of Bloomington, Indiana and Brennan Ashwood, of Cleveland, Ohio, and one sister, Lois Thurston, of Iowa City.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister, Lorraine Timmer; and by one brother, Harlan Konken.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 25, 2016 at the Western Home Windcove Dining Room, with visitation one hour before services. Memorials may be directed to the family. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com

Source: Dahl Van Hove Schoof Funeral Home -- www.DahlFuneralHome.com