Norma Jean Allgood
Norma Jean Allgood
October 08, 1924 – May 05, 2012 Oskaloosa, Iowa
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Wednesday morning, May 09, 2012 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. The family will be present from 5 – 6:30 p.m. to greet visitors.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Thursday morning, May 10, 2012 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Rev. Michael Dotson of the First Assembly of God officiating.
Interment: Forest Cemetery
Norma Jean met her Lord and Savior Saturday evening at Crystal Heights Care Center at the age of 87 years, 6 months and 28 days.
Norma Jean Allgood, daughter of Murray Martin and Velma Theodosis Spencer Van Steenis, was born October 8, 1924 at Mercy Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The family lived on farms near Leighton and Taintor. Those were lean years for much of the country and the Van Steenis family was no different. Norma Jean was a self-confessed” Tomboy” and remembered helping her dad with milking the cows and hauling coal and wood for the stoves. She also earned extra money by shucking corn and helping the neighbors with housekeeping chores. Her pony and her dog were her loyal companions and she was the envy of many children. Norma Jean married Leonard Allgood at a Methodist minister’s home in Lancaster, Missouri, July 5, 1942. Leonard was soon inducted into the Army and Norma Jean followed him to Louisiana and Kentucky, where he was stationed. When Leonard was sent to Germany, Norma Jean returned to Oskaloosa and worked briefly at the overall factory and the Canary Cottage. After Leonard returned from the military, they lived in Oskaloosa, and later near her parents on Highway 92 and Norma Jean was a busy mom, raising three children. During this time, Norma Jean worked several jobs which included Mahaska County Home Healthcare and housekeeping in the library at William Penn College. One of Norma Jean’s mottos was “I prefer to wear out rather that rust out”. Norma Jean’s faith was a very important part of her life; it was her inspiration and anchor through many of life’s trials. She accepted Christ as her Savior October 7, 1951, and was baptized April 6, 1952. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Oskaloosa where she was very active teaching Sunday school, serving in the nursery and providing food for many occasions. Her spiritual gifts were those of visitation and encouragement and she spent many hours at the nursing home before she was admitted herself, encouraging and spending time with friends. Norma Jean was also a gifted musician. She bought her first guitar at age 13 with money she earned shucking her neighbor’s corn. She later was part of the “What Cheer Opry Band”. Norma Jean loved gospel music and she and Marilyn Hittle sang for many funerals and church functions. Norma Jean will be remembered for her sense of humor; she was always cheerful, content and a genuine caring person. Another of her motto’s was “Love the Lord and your family”.
Her family includes her three children: Leonard E. “Skip” and Shelby Allgood of Cedar Rapids; Carolyn and Del Bittner of Oskaloosa and Dolores Allgood of Lakeland, FL; five grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; a brother, Bob and Mae Van Steenis of Oskaloosa; and a sister-in-law, Lucille Van Steenis, also of Oskaloosa.
In addition to her parents, Norma Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard in 1982; a brother, Donald Van Steenis; a sister, Iola Fleck; a sister-in-law, Violet Van Steenis and a brother-in-law, Omer Fleck.
Memorials may be made to Iowa Hospice.
