Norma Jean (Jensen) Sterling |
| Posted 2020-06-28 by mhenderson |
| Published in Today's News-Herald on April 26, 2020 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona (personal article, page 5A) Norma Jean Jensen Sterling was born to Chester Amil Jensen and Nina Amber Kinkaid Jensen on a family farm near Wayne, Nebraska on 10/31/1927. She transitioned this life peacefully on March 17, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 92 years. She was the third of six children. While still an infant, her family moved to Coleridge, Nebraska where she attended school, graduating from Coleridge High School as the class valedictorian in 1945. Norma received a college scholarship and attended Wayne State College, completing coursework for a 2 year teaching degree. She began teaching elementary school in Hartington, Nebraska in 1947. She married Francis Robert (Bob) Sterling on August 15, 1950 in Coleridge. To this union were born five children: Linda Jean, Michael Howard, Dale Alan, Connie Jo, and Mary Lou. Her husband was in the Navy and Naval reserves and they lived at various times in Hartington, Nebraska; Sioux City, Iowa; Joplin, Missouri; and San Diego, California, eventually moving to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 1970. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Wayne State College in 1970, and later, a Master’s degree in Education from Northern Arizona University. Norma continued teaching elementary school in Lake Havasu City, retiring in 1997 after a total of 35 years as an educator. She was a dedicated and loving teacher, known for her compassion and patience. She had a particular interest working with children with significant learning and reading disabilities, and other teachers would often seek her counsel in this regard. She later said that she always wanted to be a teacher and often played school as a young child when other girls her age were playing with dolls. In 2013, Norma relocated to Phoenix to be closer to her children. She was predeceased by her parents, Chester and Nina; her husband of 55 years, Bob in 2005; her son Dale in 2009; her brothers Dean, Dallas, and Gerald, and her sister Phyllis. She is survived by her sister Marilyn Kilberg of Niceville, Florida; daughter Linda Sterling of Tucson, Arizona; son Michael Sterling of Peoria, Arizona; daughter Connie Sterling and husband Ron Borg of Phoenix, Arizona; and daughter Mary Lou Weatherly and husband Vince Weatherly of Payson, Arizona. She also leaves to mourn her passing 7 grandchildren (Erick, Kristen, Bryan, Janelle, Dustin, Megan, and Daniel), 7 great-grandchildren (Victoria, Austyn, Joshua, Avery, Nicolette, Elyse, Wesley and Colette), as well as numerous nieces and nephews who remember her fondly. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Norma’s name be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Children’s Literacy Foundation. Plans are underway for a celebration of Norma’s life at a later date. |
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