Norma J. Welbourn
Norma J. Welbourn
Norma J. Welbourn
February 22, 1933 – August 29, 2014
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 81
Norma J. Welbourn, 81, of Oskaloosa, died Friday, August 29, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. She was born February 22, 1933, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of George Dewey and Ruth Hanson Harris.
Norma graduated from Mason City High School with the class of 1951. Following school Norma worked as a secretary at Standard Oil in Mason City. On August 31, 1957, Norma was united in marriage to Dr. Dale Welbourn, DVM. The couple moved to Thompson, Iowa, where Dale practiced veterinary medicine with Dr. L.V. Johanson. In 1958, they moved to Neola, Iowa, where Dale practiced with Dr. Don F. Lee, D.V.M. Following the retirement of Dr. Lee, Dale was joined by Dr. Dale Jensen. Norma kept the books for the veterinary practice.
One of the benefits of being married to a veterinarian was every summer Dale would always bring home a new pet for his girls. Norma always welcomed whatever animals he brought home, whether it be chickens, ducks, rabbits or lambs, as long as they returned to the farm when the girls returned to school.
Norma and Dale were members of the Neola Presbyterian Church in Neola. Norma was a very active member of the Morning Circle at the church.
Norma was widowed on April 14, 1985. She went on to attend Nebraska Business College in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated in August of 1987. Following her graduation, Norma went to work for a farm management firm in Omaha for a few years. On April 18, 2002, Norma moved to Oskaloosa. She loved music and playing the organ, but her favorite pastimes were reading and sewing.
Norma has been a member of the Bethel Baptist Church since 2002, and active with the Sewing Seeds Ministry making many baby quilts and lap robes. She was also a member of the Women’s Connection, a member and administrator for Good News Prison Ministries, a volunteer for Deaf Missions in Council Bluffs and Birthright.
Norma enjoyed her yearly trips to Pennsylvania for her grandson’s birthday. She always looked forward to working at her daughter and son-in-law’s Christian book store, The Eagle’s Nest in Oskaloosa. She will be remembered for her great sense of humor and was very patriotic. Her faith was the core of her life and she used her talents to spread the message of Jesus Christ. Norma made two trips to Israel, was baptized in the Jordan River and climbed Mt. Sinai.
Her family includes her two daughters: Lona (& Phyl) Brager of Oskaloosa and Nancy (& Brian) Quinn of Pocono Pines, PA; five grandchildren: Stephen (& Nicole) Krutzfeldt, Samuel Krutzfeldt, Matthew Quinn, Tom (& Jodi) Brager, and Debbie (& Brent) Dykstra; five great grandchildren; step great grandchildren; three brothers: Dewey Harris of Mason City, IA, Charles (& Dixie) Harris of Mason City, IA, and Larry (& Shirley) Harris of Kansas City, MO; a sister, Carolyn Funk of Mason City, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; and two grand dogs: Lucky and Buddy.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bethel Baptist Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Steve Cox and Reverend Bruce Thompson officiating. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will being on Tuesday after 11:00 a.m. and the family will be present from 5-7 Tuesday evening.
Burial will be in the Grange Cemetery near Honey Creek, Iowa on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that a memorial would be made to the Bethel Baptist Church in Oskaloosa.
