Norma Jean Courtney 1929 - 2016

COURTNEY, BADEN, OBST

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-volunteer (email)
Date: 12/15/2016 at 23:23:37

Onawa Sentinel
15 December 2016

Norma Jean Courtney, 87, formerly of Onawa, Iowa, passed away on Friday, December 2, 2016 at Ramsey Village Care Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Onawa United Methodist Church in Onawa, Iowa with Pastor Dennis Burns, officiating and Eulogy by grandson, Charles Farber. Burial will be in the Onawa Cemetery, Onawa, Iowa. Visitation will be 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Rush Family Chapel in Onawa, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa.

Norma Jean was born on February 12, 1929 in Wayne County, Nebraska, to Frank and Marie (Baden) Obst. Norma's family were lifelong farmers in rural Nebraska, and she inherited her strong work ethic from them. Norma Jean was the only one in her family that was able to complete high school, living in town with families during the week, doing their washing and ironing. After her graduation from school in Winside, Nebraska, she worked at the Cudahy Packing Plant in Sioux City, Iowa, where she met the love of her life Charles W. Courtney. Norma and Charlie were united in marriage on September 12, 1948 at the First Methodist Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Charlie preceded Norma in death on May 31, 1991.

Norma had a variety of jobs in her life, which included helping Charlie operate the Onawa Roller Rink. She also worked at Wilson Trailer, Pronto Gas Station, Onawa Foods, and most notably, was a waitress for many years, waiting tables at Dent's Café, Raymar Inn Cafe, Sgt. Bluffs Truck Stop Café, The Onawa Café and Millers Kitchen.

Norma loved working for Darl Miller. She liked to heckle the customers and coffee drinkers! Norma's trademark was her feistiness and teasing nature. She loved to travel, have a good time and was an avid card player, playing poker with her friends until the early morning hours. Norma was a member of the Elise-Rebekah Lodge of Onawa, the David McNeill Legion Auxiliary Unit #129 and the Onawa United Methodist Church.

Above anything, Norma loved her grandchildren. She was so proud of all of them. And they are all very grateful that their Grandma was so fun and loving, such an easy listener and encourager, always ready for a game of cards or Wa-Hoo and able to share in so many good times together. She made the best mashed potatoes, ribs, pork chops and apple pie and served her family countless delicious meals around her dining room table, where everyone loved to linger and talk.

Survivors include her children, Chuck Courtney (Kim) of Des Moines, IA, Arlone Farber (Jim Onkka) of Omaha, NE, and Kevin Courtney (Theresa) of Iowa City, IA; her grandchildren, Charles Farber (Jennifer) of Tucson, AZ, Shayna Courtney (fiancé Daniel Serpe) of Chicago, IL, Alex Courtney (fiancée Bernice Thommandru) of Iowa City, IA; Hailey Courtney of Iowa City, IA, Katrina Courtney of Des Moines, IA; great grandson, Nolan Farber of Tucson, AZ; sister-in-laws, Lottie Pierce of Onawa, IA, and LaVonne Vander Hamm of Ireton, IA; several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends including the staff and caregivers at Ramsey Village Care Center in Des Moines, IA, to whom we are most grateful for.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, and her siblings, Herbert Obst, Louise Ruschmann (Claus), Alfred Obst, Arnold Obst (Gladys), Helen Rewinkel (Walter), Melvin Obst, twin Norman Obst and Bonnie Obst.

Memorials may be directed to the Onawa United Methodist Church or David McNeill Legion Auxiliary Unit #129 of Onawa, Iowa.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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