Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Norma Jean Green 1931-2017

Norma Jean (Wildt) Green was born in Elm Creek, Nebraska to Hershel Hirum Wildt and Freada Joesphine Lundsford Wildt on November 5, 1931. She departed this life on April 23rd at the Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center in Bedford, Iowa surrounded by her loving family. She started school in Elm Creek, Nebraska and in 1938 her family moved to a farm near Nodaway, Iowa where she attended country school. They later moved to a farm near Blockton, Iowa where she graduated in 1950. Norma attended Northwest Missouri University in 1950-51 earning 60 hours of college credit to be a teacher. She loved teaching at Gay #8 north of Blockton 2 years and later at Nodaway Frog Pond Gay #4 country schools. Years later she was invited to a school reunion of her country school students. She was queen for a day.

On February 7, 1954 she was united in marriage to Gerald William Green and they made their home on a farm west of Athelstan, Iowa. To this union 3 children were born, Jerry, Sherry and Terry. In later years they became licensed foster parents. The door was always open and many nieces and nephews spent many summer hours at their house where there were many special memories made.

Norma loved to sew and many family members wore the clothes she made including many red cowboy shirts with white fringe. Also many cowboy shirts for parades along with assorted wedding attire and prom dresses. She passed that love on to her daughter and other young ladies by teaching sewing as a 4-H leader. She also taught cooking classes as a 4-H leader and later taught Sherry how to make her famous raspberry jam along with her crabapple and apple butter. When she started having grandchildren and great-grandchildren they received many of her homemade clothes, blankets, and afghans. She loved crocheting bead socks. Another specialty was giving home permanents. Many Sunday afternoons were spent with various family members getting perms.

When her children were older she returned to her love of helping children learn as a teachers aide and substitute teachers with the Sheridan and Worth County schools. Upon retirement she became a full-time go-fer, helping move from field to field, going for parts and taking lunches to the field. Her crocheting was the main stay in the truck as she never knew how long she would be at the field with her guys.

Norma was a member of the Blockton Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her son Jerry; brother Robert; parents: Hershel and Freada; in-laws; Jacob and Neva Green; brothers-in-law Buddy White, Leland Loghry, Donald Green and Dick Green; sister-in-law Roberta Green.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband Gerald of 63 years; daughter Sherry Skinner; son Terry (Lori) Green; 6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; brother Laverne Wildt; sisters-in-law Irene White, Evelyn Loghry, Joanne Green; brothers-in-law Junior (Marvel) Green, Norman (Barb) Green, Gordon Green, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Her smile and generous ways will live in our hearts forever.


Funeral Services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, April 27, 2017 at the Blockton Christian Church. Interment will be in the Athelstan Cemetery near Blockton. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City.

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