Norma Jansen

Having led a good life, Norma J. Jansen, 89, entered into eternal rest with family at her side on December 21, 2024. She was born May 15, 1935, in Aviston, the daughter of Theodore and Catherine Richter, nee Zurliene. She married Edmund C. Jansen on June 14, 1955 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese. He preceded her in death on February 4, 2022.

Norma is survived by her children, Jean (John) DeSelm, Mark (Jennifer) Jansen, Chris (Matt) Fields, Kathy (Gary) Frerker, Steve (Terri) Jansen, Connie (Curt) Holtmann, Gail (Steve) Theising, and Neil (Vicki) Jansen; 23 grandchildren, Chris (Traci) Hitpas, Nicole (Joy Staulcup) Hitpas, Abby (Ato) Jackson-Kuofie, Josh (Larissa) Fields, Ryan (Ashley) DeSelm, Anne (Nic) Rutz, Alex Hawley, Beth (Nick) Hollenkamp, Lauren (Mary) Mills, Taylor (Josh) Edmonds, Alexa (significant other, Euclides Martinez) Jansen, Drew (fiancé, Alyssa Sistare) Jansen, Justine (Zach) Hendricks, Jacob (Brittany) Theising, Corinne (fiancé, Tanner Klote) Holtmann, Reid Holtmann, Olivia Theising, Emily Jansen, Lucas (fiancé, Myah Beckmann) Theising, Nick Jansen, Caroline Jansen, Eli Jansen and Grace Jansen; 20 great grandchildren; siblings Bernice Frerker, Jane Fuhler, and Theodore “Butch” (Delores) Richter; sisters-in-law Marie Jansen, Theresa Richter and Rosemary Richter.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by siblings Jerome Richter and Dennis Richter, brothers and sisters-in-law Leo Frerker, Bernard Fuhler, Norbert Jansen, Martha and Al Varel, Stella and Al Heimann, Albert and Catherine Jansen, Raymond and Adele Jansen, Leo and Henrietta Jansen, Sr. Eulogia Jansen, Clara and Robert Schachner, Vincent Jansen, Larry and Marie Straeter and Louis Jansen in infancy.

Norma was a woman of strong faith and displayed much love and dedication to her family. As a stay at home mom for many years, she instilled in her children the value of education by completing her GED and eventually taking college courses before entering the workforce as an office manager at Clinton Manor and Aviston Countryside Manor. She taught many students through the religion program at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and later served as Director of Religious Education. Throughout the years, Norma enjoyed attending a variety of school and sporting events of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a strong supporter of Mater Dei High School. Her hobbies and interests included traveling, taking piano lessons in her 50’s, working puzzles, quilting, bird-watching and taking walks. Norma rarely missed a weekly breakfast with her sisters, an episode of Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy, and was always up for a competitive game of Scrabble with family.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, December 27, 2024 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Albers with Fr. Matthew Elie officiating. 

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 26, 2024 from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm and Friday, December 27, 2024 from 8:00 am to 9:45 am at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Albers.

Memorials may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church or Mater Dei Catholic High School and will be received at church or Nordike Funeral Home, 15 E Hanover St., New Baden, IL 62265 who is serving the family.