Norma Jean Boysen

Norma Jean was born on Nov. 11, 1938 to Herman and Leota Ploeger in Storm Lake, Iowa. As she grew up farming in a family of modest means she quickly learned the value of hard work. As a young child, while the other girls were playing with dolls, Norma could be found riding the tractor and helping her father farm. Ever the green thumb, Norma loved to garden, even at a young age.

As she grew up she became well known for her skills on the basketball court, receiving all-state awards.

She graduated from Buena Vista College with a degree in teaching. She met Wally, and shortly after their marriage three children came along in four years, Doug, Christi, and Carrie. My, did she ever have her hands full.

Since Wally worked for J.C. Penney, the houses and cities they called home were ever changing. In total, Wally and Norma moved their family 12 times as their children grew up. Between moves, Norma worked several different jobs in addition to raising three very active children. If you know Doug, you know she had her work cut out for her.

As her children moved off, got married and started families of their own, Norma became the grandma every child dreams of, always with open arms for hugs, a lap to sit on, and a laugh that could brighten the darkest of days. Her love was ever present, and always known.

As retirement drew near for Wally, Norma focused on managing the building of their dream retirement home in South Carolina; an exquisite home that embodied her elegance and class. It was big enough for all of her children and their families to “come home.”

Countless summers she hosted our families and was always right there with us: driving the boat, fishing, and offering words of encouragement as we swallowed a lot of lake water learning to water ski.

Some of her favorite times stemmed around the yearly Boysen Christmas when her family dedicated their year to making gifts for each other by hand. Norma was an avid quilter and if you ask anyone of her family members, they will tell you, she rarely met a piece of fabric she didn’t like…or buy for that matter! One of her favorite things to do was go fabric shopping with her girls.

While living in South Carolina, Norma was an active member of Habitat for Humanity and helped to pioneer their Habitat Store, however, after suffering a devastating stroke, Norma was just never quite the same and lost interest in many things.

Due to mounting health issues, Wally and Norma decided to pack up their home and move to Omaha to be closer to doctors…and Doug. It is here that they joined Faithful Shepherd and adopted their church family and friends.

In recent years, Wally and Norma escaped the harsh winters of Nebraska and moved to Arizona and into a gorgeous Retirement Center near Christi. Norma’s health continued to slip and in the end was too much for her body to take.

In Norma’s final days she was surrounded by her loving husband and three children who honored her by never leaving her bedside, and encircling her with love.

We will remember Norma for her quick wit, infectious laugh, unwavering love for her family and humble grace.

Norma is a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will forever take with her a piece of our hearts.

Thank you for being ours.