Norma Jean (Leinen) Sparks 1938 - 2018

LEINEN, SPARKS, CONZEMIUS, FORDE, GOTTO, SPARKS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/19/2018 at 20:18:44

Sioux City Journal
25 May 2018

Le Mars, Iowa, Died Sioux City

Norma Jean (Leinen) Sparks, 79, of Le Mars, was called home to God Thursday, May 24, 2018, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at All Saints Catholic Parish-St. Joseph Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Bruce Lawler officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be after 5 p.m. today, with a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m., at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Norma Jean Sparks was born on June 21, 1938, in Wagner, S.D., to Ray and Clara (Conzemius) Leinen. Norma spent most of her childhood in Kingsley, Iowa and later moved to Sibley, Iowa.

Norma was united in marriage to Jerry Forde and had one child, Angela. He passed away soon after. Norma later married Allen Gotto and had three children, Mark, Jason and Shelly. Allen passed away when the children were young. Norma married Bill Sparks on Nov. 30, 1974 in Le Mars.

Family was very important to Norma, she very much enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She found great joy in cooking and baking for the family and for those that she loved. She gave from her heart in many ways and loved to make people laugh. She also loved scrapbooking, making recipe books, crafts and blankets for her family.

Survivors include five children, Angela Forde (Brandi and son, Joey, Bailey, Mallie, Matthew) of Le Mars, Mark Gotto and his wife, Elizabeth (Hayden, Grace) of Denver, Colo., Jason Gotto of Denver, Colo., Shelly Allen Gotto (Brittany, Cheyanne) of Le Mars, and Tim Sparks (Ava, Eliana) and his wife, Joanna of Denver; two stepchildren, Todd Sparks and Monica (Lily) of Salida, Colo., Traci Sanow and husband, Tim (Alison, Jacob) of Ireton, Iowa; sisters, Joan Moritz, and Marlene Krogman of Le Mars; a brother, Noel Leinen and his wife, Jeanne of Norfolk, Neb.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; parents, Ray and Clara (Conzemius) Leinen; two brothers, Robert Leinen and Michael Leinen; and a niece, Michaela Moritz.