Norma Jean Werner Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Lincoln, NE resident, Norma Jean Werner, 78, departed this life on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at her home in Lincoln, NE. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 20, 2017, at the Clay Center Christian Church in Clay Center, NE with Pastor Bill Thornton and Pastor Kevin Whitmore officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairfield Cemetery in Fairfield, NE. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to Aseracare Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association. Norma Jean Werner was born March 26, 1938, north of Scottsbluff, NE in the home of an uncle and aunt, to Leo and Lucile (Stone) Holeman. From the time of her birth until she was 13 years old, she and her family lived in eight different places in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming. In 1951, the family moved to Gering, NE. Norma graduated from Gering High School in 1956 and in the fall of that year she moved to Ottumwa, IA enrolling in the Midwestern School of Evangelism, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Sacred Literature degree. On July 9, 1960, Norma was married to Gary Werner from Deweese, NE in Gering and they made their home in Ottumwa, IA where Gary continued his education at the Midwestern School of Evangelism. In January, 1962, the couple moved to Hawthorne, CA to work with Marion McKee and the church at Imperial Highway in Inglewood, CA, before returning to the Midwest In April, 1963, when they moved to Ashland, KS to minister to the Ashland church of Christ. Norma was a faithful and effective preacher's wife through a number of ministries in Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana and Indiana over the next twenty-five years. At four of Gary and Norma's ministries they welcomed children into the world. While in Hawthorne, CA, the couple's first son, David Wayne was born. Norma gave birth to their only daughter, Paula Nanette, in Ashland, KS. Second son Timothy Dean was born in Hastings, NE, and the couple's third son Nathan Randall arrived in Cozad, NE. In Lexington, NE Norma started a day care in the home, caring for up to five children. During a two-year ministry in Harlan, IN she worked with the church sponsored school as an office helper and then as a tutor for a child with special needs. After moving to Hesston, KS in 1988, Norma again started a home day care service, continuing until her retirement in 2002. Norma loved children and the children she cared for loved her. Norma is survived by her husband, Gary of Lincoln, NE; sisters, Elsie Markley of Greeley, CO; Donna Markley of Eaton, CO; and brother-in-law, Bill Rush of Torrington, WY; daughter, Paula (Willie) Payne of LeMars, IA; sons, Tim (Sue) Werner of Omaha, NE; Nathan (Liz) Werner of Kansas City, KS; three sisters-in-law, Sharon Werner; Jan Werner and Linda Fuelling; five grandchildren, Allyson (Jordon) McCurry; Anthony (Dawn) Payne; Travis Payne; Marissa and Keira Werner and two great-grandchildren, Caelan and Jordyn Payne. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, twin sister, Emma Rush; brother, Larry Holeman; son, David Wayne Werner and brothers-in-law, Edward Werner and Dave Werner.

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Norma Jean Werner

March 26, 1938 - March 14, 2017