Norma Lulu Sperry

Norma Lulu Sperry, one of five children of Laura Johanna (Bichel) and Ferdinand Detlef Jurgens, was born on her parent's farm north of Glenwood, Iowa on April 13, 1919. She was baptized and later confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola, Iowa and attended the Evernham Country School through the 8th grade. Following school, Norma began working in Council Bluffs, Iowa on the assembly line at Howard Manufacturing where they made transistors for the war effort.

Norma and Chester Corwin Sperry of rural Treynor, Iowa were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola on September 24, 1944. They made their home on a farm northwest of Mineola and later near Treynor. In 1954, they purchased a farm near Council Bluffs, Iowa and in 1957 were blessed with their adopted daughters, Janice and Joyce. The girls attended Lewis Central Community Schools and the family became active members of the First Christian Church in Council Bluffs.

Norma enjoyed being a mother and farmwife. She helped Chet on the farm, hauling in corn, cleaning the hog house, and feeding cattle. She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary and her Circle at church. In 1978, Chet and Norma retired from farming. They sold the farm and moved to Glenwood on May 19, 1979. They continued their membership at the First Christian Church in Council Bluffs until 2003 when they transferred to the First Christian Church in Glenwood.

Norma and Chet loved to fish and would often be gone all summer on trips. She enjoyed poetry and belonged to three different card groups; pitch, pinochle, and euchre. Norma was a member of the Blue Bird Sewing Club and made many quilts. She loved to cook and bake and loved to entertain.

Norma and Chet were married 61 years when Chet passed away on November 7, 2005. Norma continued to live at their Glenwood home and remained active in her church and the community.

Norma passed away on May 23, 2012 at the Glen Haven Home in Glenwood at the age of 93 years, 1 month, and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Chet, daughter Janice Andersen; sisters, Fern Rohrberg and Lorraine Leick; and brother Gerald Jurgens.

Norma is survived by daughter Joyce Germar of Glenwood; five grandchildren, Michele Kjeldgaard of Sidney, IA, Michael Kjeldgaard of Council Bluffs, Jenny Sperry and her fiancA(c) Todd Ficenec of Glenwood, Richard Germar of Council Bluffs, and Carrie Germar of Glenwood; great grandson Cameron Germar; and sister Lois Benedict of Glenwood.

Funeral services, 11 AM, Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood with interment in the Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, with family present to receive friends, 5 to 7 PM. Memorials suggested to Glenwood First Christian Church.

Loess Hills Funeral Home - Glenwood (former Hertz Funeral) in charge of arrangements.